Wednesday, July 13, 2011

At First Sight


There is a moment in every wedding when time stops. The world is on pause, breathes are held and the air is thick with love; when the Bride and Groom first lay eyes on each other. For some, this takes place in the church when the processional begins. But for many modern couples, there is a lovely new tradition: The First Look.
First Look is when the couple chooses to share a magical moment together before they walk down the aisle. Alone together, they share an embrace, a second to whisper of the future and steal a kiss before they begin their new lives.

Here are some from a recent first look, Jessica & Chris.


For a more in-depth consideration of the "First Look", (and other great info!) please check out bridal resource Every Last Detail, and be sure to share your thoughts with us on our facebook page!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Portrait Sittings: How to Dress


One of the most common questions we get before a portrait session is a slightly panicked "what do I wear??". Fear not, it is our job to make you look your absolute best. We thought we would offer our Do's & Don'ts for portrait sittings. These are good for family photos, but you can use them anytime you think you may be photographed.

Do

-Co-ordinate outfits. This doesn't mean you all have to be dressed in matching denim. But check to see that Mom's outfit isn't clashing with Dads, and that everyone compliments each other.

-Wear something comfy. We are not recommending you roll up in last year's sweat pants, but you should be able to move a bit and have the freedom to pose with ease.

-Bring a pair of flip-flops or comfy shoes to throw on, especially if you're going to be in a potentially muddy area.

-Make sure it's YOU! If you are uncomfortable, or wearing something you would never otherwise be seen in, it's going to be harder to feel genuine and relaxed in front of the camera. So rock your style, my friend, this is your chance to shine!

Don't

-Don't wear solid black or white, unless it's the photographer asks you to do so. While black looks flattering in person, it tends to turn figures into one solid form. Bright white can take the focus off the face. There will be some exceptions to this rule but it's a good starting point.

-Also avoid patterns and prints: solid colors and simple clothing will put the attention on your best feature; your smile!

-Don't get matching mullets the night before the shoot. Unless of course, you're these dudes.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Flash Bus Tour 2011


If you are a photographer, (or know and love one of us), then you probably know we can be the worlds biggest dorks. We get excited about all things camera related, and the opportunity to learn from two of the best in the business? Amazing!! So when we found out Dave Hobby and Joe McNally were rolling through the (sort of near-by) neighborhood, we bought tickets faster than you can say photo geek. Allison wasn't able to get away from her teaching duties, so I (Jenny) took fellow photographer Sam Allen along for the ride. Stocked with two camera bags and lots of laughs on the ride down to Raleigh, we arrived to find 375 photographers. and one awesome tour bus.

Both Dave & Joe were incredible speakers; they inspired us with fresh ideas and
hundreds of new things to try. Be prepared, Capture fans, for some exciting new work! Dave spoke for the morning, explaining that "Lighting is like cooking! You have to experiment and add to taste". He encouraged us not to be intimidated. Joe spent the afternoon teaching us how to be flash wizards, using multiple light set-ups. We knew it was going to be a great day when Joe gave his flash a big kiss and announced loudly "Take care of your flash and it will take care of you!" Aw, even the big shots love their gear.

Joe gave a live demonstration using his photo assistant Calli as a test model. Calli had an uncanny resemblance to Justin Bieber, so after a little coaxing, we got a Bieber-esque pose out of him. He could have a second career as a teeny-bopper, don't you think?


That's Dave Hobby on the left, and Joe McNally on the right, imparting their infinite knowledge on us. Or cracking a good photo joke. There was plenty of both. When someone asked Joe if he still shot on film, he deadpanned and replied "Film is what's on your teeth when you wake up in the morning". We laughed a little too hard.

Here are a couple more shots from the day; enjoy!
















Jenny with Dave "The Strobist" Hobby. Check out his T-Shirt.
















Jenny & Sam: this sweet tour bus proves that photographers can be rockstars too!

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Photographer

“An engagement shoot is great because it’s like a practice run, so you’re really ready to go on the day of the wedding.”

Check out this great article from New York Magazine's 2010 Wedding Issue on the photographer.
Link to Article, "The Photographer"

Many more great articles, tips, and checklists available in this issue!
New York Magazine's 2010 Wedding Issue
"The Caterer"
"The Makeup Artist"
"The Planner"
"Album Perfection Is Possible"

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wedding Extravaganza!



Very early on a Sunday morning, when most of Richmond was still asleep, the ladies of Capture were kicking it into high gear. Moving furniture, loading the truck, and of course, getting dolled up.

Who carries a zillion pound ottoman at 5:30 am? Answer: Photographers who are thrilled about their first wedding expo, of course!

The early morning set-up was beyond worth it! We had a blast meeting brides, grooms, families & vendors at the 2011 Richmond Wedding Expo. Richmondweddings.com did a terrific job organizing the expo and securing the most talented local vendors to participate. Amy and Scott Brunette are the husband-and-wife force behind the wedding guide. They deserve major recognition for all their hard work.

We want to give a shout-out to our booth neighbor, Weddings by Windy. We have worked with this talented wedding planner on numerous occasions and it has been our pleasure to photograph her work! We were excited to connect with the Richmond Marriott. Not only do they host the expo every year, but they have a dedicated staff who specialize in the flawless execution of extraordinary social events and weddings at the hotel. We have had the opportunity to work with the Richmond Marriott photographing their events in the past and are looking forward to collaborating on future projects.

Participating in the Richmond Wedding Expo was a pleasure. Expect to see us back next year!