Weddings & Couples » Elizabeth Halford Photography {the blog}

Category Archives: Weddings & Couples

My thoughts on Posing {and getting pooped on by my sister}

September 30, 2010 Posted in Family, Kids, Teens, Taking Pictures, Weddings & Couples

Note: this post was written when I first started out. I now understand and completely LOVE posing. More about that here. It’s inevitable. I have to eventually sit down and write my thought on posing. I’ve avoided it for so long but EVERY time I put out a call for topic ideas, I get the...

5 comments

carrie - September 30, 2010 - 11:52 am

I like how you say organic. I actually use that with my clients all the time. Particularly high school seniors. I have to do alot of posing with them and always look through fashion magazines before these shoots. But once I get to the shoot, it’s not like I remember any of what I liked.

But that’s ok because I’ve found what you described to be true, start with a little posing idea and they usually kind of melt into the natural pose by themselves.

Great post!

Ashley @ Ramblings and Photos - September 30, 2010 - 1:44 pm

What a great post! I prefer an organic approach. I just did a children’s portrait session last weekend and have an engagement session this weekend and I was beating myself up for not giving more direction. Truth is, when I look back at my photos, although there are situations where I wish I had done this or that differently, I’m really happy that I was able to get the children laughing and natural during the shoot. I told the mother in advance that I just wanted them to play in their own environment and I would be a fun play buddy. Whatever I did worked for them and I think I’ll continue using that attitude. Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for this post. I really appreciate your insight.

amanda - October 6, 2010 - 11:59 pm

Simply put, thank you.

Ashley Nadreau - November 25, 2010 - 11:56 am

I love this post! You hit it on the spot! I actually had a couple, not long ago, that were just so ‘into it’ and so natural that I didn’t have to really do anything with them. Their love was so open and out there that I actually got teary eyed thinking to myself, “Man, I hope when I’m their age, my husband and I can still act like that, like little puppies in love!” They danced, they whispered, they kissed each others cheeks, it was beautiful! Thank you for this post, I’m sorry I rambled on! :o)

Rachel M - July 5, 2011 - 3:12 pm

I also love the “organic” candid shots best. Who doesn’t though right? There is so much more personality in them. I will do posed pics first to make the family get accquainted with me and please conservative Aunt Sally with at least one Olin Mills shot. Then we get silly. You photos are so amazing and full of life. I love reading and being inspired by your wise experience.

Hampshire Family Photographer – Cindy & Dar {25 years}

September 23, 2010 Posted in Family, Kids, Teens, Weddings & Couples

cutest.couple.EVER! If there was a prize for the world’s most adorable couple, Cindy & Dar would win it! They came to me from Canada on their 25th anniversary holiday extravaganza (driving through every country in the UK with no map or sat nav!) If there was ever a manly man who doesn’t need a map,...

4 comments

Managing Client Expectations – Weddings

August 31, 2010 Posted in The Business of Photography, Weddings & Couples

A while back, I posted about how to deal with clients who complain about your prices. Then I posted about managing client expectations in portrait sessions. Today, it’s all about the wedding. The most important gig you’ll ever get. Also the most all encompassing gig you’ll ever get. Weddings are no joke. And managing your...

10 comments

Craig - August 31, 2010 - 7:25 pm

Elizabeth,

I really love these posts. Thank you for relaying your experience. It is a tremendous help to people who are starting out. I am not even close enough experience-wise to shoot weddings, but the lessons translate.

Thanks again,

Craig Monroe

Ann - September 1, 2010 - 5:19 pm

Hello, I am a lurker but I must comment…this will be so helpful to me in the very near future. For the past few years I’ve been the extended family “go-to” photographer. A few years ago I took some pictures at a niece’s wedding, and the mom ended up preferring them to the pro pictures they paid for. One thing led to another, and next month I will be the photographer at another niece’s wedding (my first official wedding). After I posted some pictures on Facebook, some friends inquired about portraits, and also another wedding…very nice to have inquiries, but I have a full time day job and I don’t have anything set up, business-wise. I need all the help I can get. I don’t want to get in over my head, and I also don’t want to be taken advantage of…..so thanks, so much.

Jennifer - November 3, 2010 - 3:01 am

Again, thank you for a wonderfully informative post! I had my first ever wedding consultation a few months ago, and it went very much like what you described here. I have (already) learned a few things about contract writing from that first experience and wish I could make an “addendum” to our current contract, (the wedding is in two weeks) but instead I’ll just take it as a learning experience, and I’ll already re-written my contract template! I particularly like your advice about showing an entire gallery, so that you don’t set the bar too high for yourself by only showing your best images! Thanks again!

Johanna - February 19, 2011 - 12:54 am

Wow. This. Helps. SO. Much! When I booked my wedding photographer I chose her simply because she had taken a freind’s wedding photos. I met with her in her living room. (With her kiddos running about) Our contract was “I’ll do wedding photography for you and give you disks” No other information. No other questions- I didn’t even know what to ask. Now starting my first official wedding season (ie: strangers actually paying to hire me) I have had nothing professional to base my standards on. Now today I do!!! Thank you so much!

elizabethhalford - February 19, 2011 - 10:15 am

@Johanna: wow I’m so happy I could help! Give me a shout any time.

Josh Wooding - March 27, 2011 - 5:02 am

You are quite the talented photographer and writer! I just found your site after Stumbling Upon an article you had written for DPS. What a wealth of information you are providing! I’m just a hobbyist now but considering making the leap to weddings MAYBE in the future. Your site is the information I’ve been trying to find in books I have bought. THANK YOU!!!!!!

elizabethhalford - March 27, 2011 - 7:50 pm

@josh: wow thanks so much! that’s pretty darn cool :)

Neda Milešić - August 15, 2011 - 8:35 pm

Thank you very much for all your tutorials! I will be shooting my first wedding this October and needless to say, let’s hope that groom and I don’t faint at the same time. I will also have a friend as a second photographer, which will make things much easier to handle. Still, it’s nerve-wrecking to think about it and I have been absorbing as much information as I can since I found out I will be doing this. So far, your website is the one I keep going back to because it provides just enough info for me to understand the concepts, but more importantly – not to confuse me. Thank you again!

amanda - February 2, 2012 - 2:43 am

Thanks for all of your insight. I love reading all the emails I get. I save them into a personalized folder just for your emails alone to go back to and re-read.

Do you have any posts going over what you include in your contracts? Like the basics that you cover with your clients in them? I am trying to get one worked up to use for my portrait sessions and hopefully weddings in the future.

amanda - February 2, 2012 - 2:47 am

I just found your wedding contract blog. Thank you

Hampshire Wedding Photographer – Steve & Tracey

August 24, 2010 Posted in Weddings & Couples

Cousins! As usual, my B&Ws are from the One Willow B&W presets for Lightroom “Golden Shimmer”

no comments

Flash Indoors

August 18, 2010 Posted in Flash, Taking Pictures, Weddings & Couples

Q. “Do you have any suggestions for beginners on shooting indoors with low light (ie, wedding reception)? I hate using a flash because it makes everything so “harsh” but there are times i know it is necessary? what’s the best way to get that natural look back using Lightroom or Photoshop?” A. As unappealing as...

5 comments

Hampshire Wedding Photographer – Tim & Ellen

August 16, 2010 Posted in Weddings & Couples

*Sigh* I’m still basking in the glow of yesterday’s wedding. Beautiful day, beautiful couple, beautiful location(s). Beautiful beautiful beautiful. Tim & Ellen had a low-key English style wedding with their friends & family, no fluff involved. No big white dress, no first dance. Nothing but sunshine, good friends, good food and a sublime golden hour...

3 comments

Hampshire Wedding Photographer – Sarah & Gareth

July 3, 2010 Posted in Weddings & Couples

Sarah & Gareth, here are some beautiful memories to keep you going until you’re back from your fantastic honeymoon. Tell Dad & Mickey we said hello!

5 comments

Giving your Viewers a Sense of Space & Location

June 8, 2010 Posted in Taking Pictures, Weddings & Couples

If you troll the web for wedding photography inspiration like I do, you might find a common technique amongst the best photographers. This technique makes me feel like I’m actually there at the event, a viewer in the crowd, or a fly on the wall. It’s the use of foreground blur and juxtaposition in relation...

4 comments