Putting On The Dress: 5 Tips for Beautiful Photos!

One of our favorite moments to photograph is the bride stepping into her wedding dress. Here are some ideas to help you get great photographs during this special part of your day.

1. Have your Bridesmaids put on their dresses first.
 Your girls are an important part of the process! They'll be framing you as they help you into you gorgeous gown. Help glam up your first moments as an official bride having your ladies  looking fabulous along with you! When you see your images, you'll be so glad you did.

2. Tidy up the area, or go to a different room.
 Actually, since you're the Bride, you should have someone do this for you. A designated prop stylist, if you will. We're even happy to pitch in! A clean slate will be best to show off you as your step into your gown! But if it's too much to think about, you can always move to another area.  You'll want the focus to be on you and your dream dress, not the make up, shoes, purses, and all the other goodies that come with getting ready.  Set the stage for looking fabulous!

3. If possible, get dressed near a window.
 Your photographer will love you for doing this! The natural light shining in will give you an extra glow and make for beautiful images. If you don't have a window accessible, just make sure all the lamps in the room are on to help give a soft effect.

4.  Save the jewelry for last!
 We want to get great shots of you as you put on your jewelry. These details are the icing on the cake, and since we've set the stage for everything fabulous, this is the perfect time to take care of the little things! And, with your ladies standing by, you'll have lots of help with things like putting on your necklace and slipping on your shoes.


5. Have a full-length mirror handy.
Bonus points if you have a freestanding mirror that can be positioned near where you are.Now is the first time you'll be able to see yourself as a full, head-to-toe Bride. It's a very unique moment, and  one you'll want to cherish. You have full permission to admire yourself today, because you look AMAZING!

Congratulations Mike & Devan: Sneak Peeks

Mike and Devan's wedding at Tredegar Iron Works was an absolute pleasure to photograph!  This couple and their family are so loving and fun.  The decorations and location were elegant, modern and we were SO lucky with weather.  Enjoy these sneak peeks!  No shortage of things to photograph at this wedding.

Apple Blossom Plantation

Working on the formal post for Matt and Maggie's wedding at Apple Blossom Plantation.  Here's a look at what's to come!

Start Spreading The News....

We feel so blessed to work in this industry, our job that exists because of love. Really, how awesome is that? Today, we're feeling extra lucky because we have the privilege of sharing some BIG news with you.  Drum roll please.....

  Our dear friends, Rutsen & Tyler, are ENGAGED! Rutsen, of Eagle Eye Photography, is in "the biz" with us; in fact Capture has collaborated with him on quite a few weddings over the past few years, and a friendship based on much more than photography has grown. And now, we get to watch him marry the beautiful love of his life, Tyler.

 Rutsen & Tyler (known to those who love them as Rut & Ty), are one of those couples who just glow when they're together. They are so playful and light hearted that it spread to everyone in the room.  Rutsen gushes about his girl when ever given the chance (sorry to spill your secrets Rut!), and if you know her, it's easy to see why. Tyler is witty, easy going, and pretty much a dream girlfriend....fiance!

 So we're celebrating their engagement with these pretty pictures taken on a work trip to Mexico last November. We all had a blast together, and even though she was supposed to be on vacation, Tyler pitched in and really was part of the team.  We snuck away for a few minutes during an early morning breakfast for these fun shots. They will be followed up by a full engagement session, but for now, these completely capture the spirit of this fabulous couple.

Rut & Ty, a huge heartfelt congrats from the Capture Photography girls. We are honored to document a part of your love story! 

Sunday Afternoon: Jessica's Bridal Session

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, less than a week before her wedding, Jessica and some of her close family members joined her at her ceremony sight for a bridal portrait.  Normally, bridal portraits are shot at least a month in advance, but Jessica's dress didn't come back from alterations until just a few days before her wedding! She kept it so cool; no bridezilla here! Jess stayed calm and collected, even has her Mom and Aunt looked on, shedding  tears of happiness. In the place where she would say her vows to future husband Travis, Jessica enjoyed a few quiet moments. Jessica, we are so happy that you chose us to share all these special moments!                     

At Stonehenge Country Club

a stunning bride!

Bouquet from Vogue Flowers 

This was her final selection, printed and framed for her reception. What a gorgeous bride!

Mark & Ashley Engaged

On the first 90 degree day of the year, Mark and Ashley met me downtown at Richmond's Tredegar Iron Works for their engagement pictures.  What a fun and beautiful couple.  These two came into the session claiming to be camera shy, but you would never know by looking at how photogenic they are in the pictures!  We are looking forward to their fast approaching downtown wedding.

Giving Back: Relay For Life

The sun was bright, but nothing could outshine the smiles on the faces gathered on the Carystreet Field. Survivors, fighters, caretakers and supporters came together to celebrate the lives of those fight cancer. The cause lies close to the heart for Richmond, home to MCV and the Massey Cancer Center. The students of VCU organized an incredible fundraiser to bring some hope and support to the cancer community. We were there to catch some of the special moments, as VCU raised nearly $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. Talk about inspiring! We hope their stories can bring some light to your day. Cancer Survivors (clad in dark purple) took the first lap as the crowd cheered them on!

On the second lap, caretakers joined the Survivors as they made another round!

A supporter looks on during the opening ceremony

The festivities offered fun for all ages, including face painting, bubbles and art projects!

Ava-Joye Burnett, newest anchor at Channel 8 WRIC, conducted the opening ceremonies, and is joined here by relay committee members Jennifer & Suzanne.

If you feel inspired to give or participate in an upcoming relay, please visit www.relayforlife.org

Wedding Trends We Love: Photo Booths

The romance. The kisses. The glamour. We love all the pieces that come together to make a wedding fabulous. And what we really love? When our couples, and their guests, are having FUN! And nothing says fun like squeezing into a small space with your 4 closest friends and adding a feather boa while you cheese for the camera.

We love the one-two punch of the photo booth; your guests have something entertaining to do, and you both get a great memory! As one of our recent brides explained, could there be a better party favor?

Be sure to check out these two vendors that we love: Sisters Renee & Elizabeth do a fabulous job here in Richmond, at http://shutterbooth.com/richmond/ and for the DC weddings, check out DC Photobooth!

And don't forget...there's always a chance that your photographers will sneak into the photo booth too!