Post wedding photo shoot...
A post-wedding photoshoot is exactly as it sounds: a photo session that takes place after a couple's wedding. There's no exact timing for when a post-wedding photoshoot should take place. It can be done anytime, whether it's the day after the wedding, shortly after the couple's honeymoon or even a year after.
Samantha & Kevin at The Dovecliff Hall Hotel...
Samantha & Kevin booked me to capture the images they had set their heart on however time restraints on their actual wedding day meant they wanted to shoot their couple shots again without the time restraints or guests to worry about.
We opened Champagne bottle No1...
We started with a few shots inside Samantha & Kevin's venue - Dovecliff Hall Hotel - in Burton Upon Trent...
The staircase made for some beautiful interior shots...
2 hour shoot...
One of the biggest reasons why couples opt to have a post-wedding photoshoot is that they have more control over the outcome of the photos than they would on their actual wedding day, particularly when it comes to timing. We spent over 2 hours capturing shots all around the grounds of the Dovecliff Hall Hotel
Once outside I used the beautiful landscaped gardens to create some fabulous shots using the venue's exterior...
A chance to redo...
Everything won't go exactly as planned on your wedding day. For instance, the weather may not have been ideal, and you weren't able to get the couples portraits you really wanted in your wedding attire, or you didn't like how your hair looked on the day of. No matter the reason, a post-wedding photoshoot is an opportunity to quite literally have a redo so you can still have the couple's photos of your dreams and perhaps even try out different poses.
Prior to the shoot...
I arrived at the Dovecliff Hall Hotel ahead of the shoot and before we started, I took a look around to find some great shot locations. Samantha & Kevin had some ideas too, they had bought with them some bottles of Champagne to pop (& drink) and some smoke bombs.
More time to enjoy your day...
A wedding timeline is typically jam-packed, so another added perk of booking a post-wedding photoshoot is that you don't have to stress about trying to squeeze in time for couples portraits on your wedding day which takes you away from enjoying the reception and celebrating with friends and family members. An after-session is more laid back than the wedding day because the stress of the day has passed, The focus of the couple is on photos.
Samantha's wedding dress...
One thing which was very important to Samantha was her wedding dress, Sam wanted the photographs to show off her dress as much as possible.
Relaxed & Natural...
Without the stress of the big day, couples tend to feel more at ease, resulting in more natural, authentic photos.
Wearing your wedding attire again!
Many couples love the opportunity to wear their wedding outfits one more time. It's a special way to relive the magic of the day without the pressure of the event.
Samantha & Kevin really made the most of every shot I suggested. Relaxed & happy...
Using their venue as a backdrop to this 'dip' shot...
Make the most of the venue...
Using the gardens to create beautiful shots. Also showcasing the venue.
Find time to capture the details...
Plan ahead...
As a photographer I like to have a plan of how the shoot will go, this is determined by the location - I don't like to make my clients 'hike' around in their wedding finery but varied backdrops need scouting out ahead of the shoot.
Sometimes simple is best...
Making the most of the veil!
Sam really rocked her veil shots and Kevin got involved too.
A perfect shot...
Time for more Champagne...
Sam & Kev bought along a few bottles of fizz left over from their wedding day - we made light work of them using (I think) 4 bottles to get the shots Sam wanted!
It was all going so well!
Without formalities, the shoot can be more playful and spontaneous. It’s a great way to capture your relationship in a more relaxed, personal way.
Pink smoke!
Sam & Kev had bought along smoke bombs in Pink & White... we used the pink with Sam's wedding dress and saved the white ones for their outfit change.
Make a change...
You can experiment with different hair, makeup, or even wear alternative outfits if you like. Sam & Kevin chose to change their outfits for a more playful look.
We had another go at the Champagne pop photo's...
Sam & Kevin took to the shoot so well, both nervous at first but as the shoot went on they became more and more relaxed.
Second pair of Louboutin's!
Capturing Sam's new dress and of course another pair of Louboutin's!
The dip...
Samantha & Kevin perfected 'the dip'.
Time for more smoke bombs...
I loved using the white smoke bombs Sam & Kev bought along with them to their shoot.
The results are worth it!
Getting all dressed up again in your wedding attire, hiring a photographer, and possibly having your hair and makeup redone for the post-wedding photoshoot will all come with an added cost that must be factored into your total wedding budget.
Extra's...
Extra's like champagne to pop (fizzy anything) or like Sam & Kev, smoke bombs in different colours all need to be factored into your shoot.
Shared vision...
It's important to have the same vision as your photographer for shots such as these. It can actually be quite difficult to get a shots like these... even the direction of the wind needs to be considered!
A fun shoot...
More than anything, these post wedding shoots should be fun. Taking away the stress of the wedding day, you can make the most of your shoot time without the stress!
Why book a post wedding photo shoot?
The creative possibilities are endless, and a post-wedding photoshoot is an opportunity to get all the dream photos you wanted but couldn't get on your actual wedding day.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to Samantha & Kevin for booking me to capture some truly beautiful 'post wedding' shoot images.