We want the very best results for you as our clients. This applies to the scouting of your location! Whether we have shot there hundreds of time, or it is our first opportunity to photograph at your venue, we do our due diligence. Before we capture a single image, you can rest assured that we are extremely prepared, and know all the bet spots. That is part of what you have invested in. By letting us do what we do best, and putting that trust in our studio, you will be amazingly surprised at the possibilities.
Here is how we set ourselves us for success.
- We will ask you questions before the wedding day, to see if there is any part of the venue that you are especially drawn to. Is there anything special, as far as location goes, that is “a must” to capture?
- We love to familiarize ourselves (if it is the first time at the venue) by doing research online, to see how the venue has been captured in the past. We then brainstorm among our team, and discuss how we can give it the True Photography perspective.
- On the day itself, we always arrive ridiculously early to explore every nook and cranny. We make sure to review everything in depth, so the ideas are very fresh in our minds, and we have our game plan for the day.
- We see how the light is falling, based on the present conditions, and make specific adjustments.
When we scout a venue, we are looking at it from a very different perspective than how our clients will see it. What looks good to your eyes can look very different to the camera. Or, something that may not stand out to you as much, can actually be a brilliant photograph. We are always looking for inspiration, and finding ways to be creative and think outside of the box. Leave this to us! Expecting the unexpected is the way to go.
The examples below are a direct result of our scouting strategy. We have also provided a little insight into our thought process.
For Arianne and Julien's destination wedding in Mexico, it was our first time photographing at the venue they selected. We took this opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the location, and to discover every possibility contained within. For example, in the above shots, we photographed the same unique location from different angles, creating completely different images.
Sometimes, we focus in on the the smaller elements of a venue, highlighting one specific detail.
We also look at the signature aspects of a venue, and come up with ideas to photograph in new and unexpected ways.
We use our environment to switch up our angles, colors, and backgrounds. For example, at Ashley and Mark's wedding, we framed Mark by placing him in front of the architectural elements of the San Diego Central Library.
For Laura Anne and Neema, we placed them behind the distinctive vines and flowers of their venue, Twin Oaks Garden Estate. This created depth of field, and a nice, romantic portrait.
Often, the weather helps dictate our plan for the day. For example, the textured clouds during Allison and Justin's wedding influenced how we photographed the two of them. Had there been a plain, clear sky, it would have made a very different look in the photos, and we likely would have photographed the location differently.
The same can be said for Ruth and Freddie's wedding, where we switched up our approach, and included the moody clouds above.
In addition to weather patterns, time of day plays a major role in how a venue will look. For example, Julia and Kevin's venue, The Japanese Friendship Garden has a beautiful path which is only lit after nightfall. Of course, we added additional lights, to get the scene just right.
While shooting a wedding, we are fully alert and ready. From the moment we arrive, we pay attention to the slightest details. We also make constant decisions throughout the day, to achieve the best results possible. For example, when taking in our surroundings, we are anticipating whether to shoot slightly higher or lower, in front of something or behind it, indoors or out, or through something rather than straight on.
To see photos our studio has captured at your venue, please visit our main photography website
