Tip for the Beach Bride

Todd and I photograph lots of New Jersey beach weddings. I grew up in Spring Lake and know the area well.

Here is a word about how to look your best in beach wedding photographs: Sand is a glarey thing. The brighter the sun, the harsher the glare off the sand. That glare goes straight into your eyes and makes you squint. Squinting cannot be hidden. You just can't force yourself to open your eyes and look natural. The muscles in your face will contract into a frown and your eyes will start watering. Not good for wedding makeup.

Relax your eyes and face in your bridal portraits and group shots by timing the beach photography for early evening. The light will be kinder, much more romantic, and you'll have more of the beach to yourself after the crowds leave.

It is said that when viewing a portrait, the viewer looks first at the eyes of the subject. To make a great first impression in your bridal portraits, take advantage of evening light at the beach. You'll love the results.

Tip for Brides: Coping with Rain

The pitter-patter of falling raindrops may be a comfort when drifting off to sleep, but when the rains come tumbling down on your wedding day here's how to cope:

It all goes back to advance planning. Well before the wedding day you'll need to establish where and when to have couple, family and wedding party group shots taken in the event of rain. Does your reception venue have an extra room you could use for photography before the cocktail hour begins? Find out. How long can you stay in the synagogue or church after the ceremony? Find out. Then, you and your wedding photographer can come up with a rainy day plan.

In addition, make sure to purchase a set of golf umbrellas. Their large spread is just what you want to keep your gown dry. What color to choose? A solid. Purchase them all in the same solid color. This will keep the viewer's eye on the faces in the pictures. That's what you want. Umbrellas with patterns compete for attention. So do umbrellas in a variety of colors. The simplest approach is to select one basic solid color umbrella that best matches the wedding attire of the bridal party.

By planning in advance and stocking up on golf umbrellas you'll keep a smile on your face no matter what the weather on your wedding day. And, you'll have a ready supply of golf umbrellas to give wedding party gifts!

Tip for Brides: Pin that Veil!

The bridal veil is one of the loveliest things about a bride's ensemble. It adds an air of mystery, of spirituality, of holiness.

Wind and light in a bridal veil can make pictures very special. We love to photograph weddings on windy days because the veil makes beautiful shapes when caught in a puff of wind. So my tip to you is: don't be afraid of wind; be prepared for it.

Ask your hairdresser to pin in your headpiece securely and to set in your veil for you.

It is a brave soul who thinks she'll just plop on her veil a few minutes before going down the aisle. Usually everyone forgets or never learned how exactly to place the veil and which way the comb faces. So, it usually goes on crooked or too low or too high the first time. Then a new problem starts. Every time the bridesmaids pull the comb out and reposition the veil the bride's hairdo loosens. Eventually, misshapen tufts of hair begin to appear. And if the hairdresser isn't there with professional tools to correct the problem the situation gets out of control quickly. We've had delayed weddings because the bride's hairdo got so out of shape she refused to go down the aisle.

Skip all the heartache! Have a professional set in your veil at the salon. Then you can smile and have fun in your veil no matter what the weather.

Tip for Brides: Get Close

Lenses distort spatial relationships. The wide angle lens distorts the distance between people in group shots. It makes them look farther away from each other than they really are. So, when group shots are taken, expect to stand closer than normal to the person next to you. It may feel like you are crowding but it will look good in the pictures.

Tip for Brides: Permits or Jail

Permits are a way of photographic life in DC. Even for a few quick shots down by the monuments with a professional photographer, you must have a permit in hand. Without one you and your photographer will be promptly arrested.

The National Park Service issues permits for photography at the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall. To obtain a Filming Permit for any of those locations please call: Ms. Robbin Owen, 202-619-7225. Or visit the National Park Service on 1100 Ohio Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20242.

The Park Service has a variety of permits to select from, depending on where you would like your DC wedding photos. And there is a fee for each permit depending on which one you select, how many are in your wedding party entourage and how many photographers are in the crew. You'll have to fill out an application and wait a period of time for your application to be reviewed and the permit granted. Allow plenty of time for this as they do get busy in the spring and fall.

Tip for Brides: Hold It Down

Where's the right place to hold your bridal bouquet when you walk down the aisle? Below your waist. That way you won't cover up pretty dress detail or the curves of your body. And you'll look thinner. How to know the bouquet is in proper position? Use your hip bones as a measuring guide. Your bouquet is at the right level if you can press your wrists onto your hipbones.

Tip for Brides: Look Like You

Makeup on the wedding day is a good thing, provided the groom will recognize you! Whether you're doing it yourself or having a professional apply it for you, the key is make your wedding day makeup subtle. Also, pratice beforehand to avoid surprises on your wedding day.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, make sure an expert has helped you select colors that match your flesh tones and your gown tones. Then practice the bridal makeup application several times at home. Have a friend take a picture so you can see how it looks. Avoid overemphasized individual features. Do add brightness to the eyes with liner and mascara. Finish your face with powder. As for lipstick, deep red or brown lipsticks photograph several shades darker--not recommended unless your wedding is on Halloween! Go for fresh, natural shades of lipstick.

If you have a pro apply it for you, by all means have a trial application sometime before your wedding and have someone take a few pictures and notes. That way you can repeat or tweak as needed on the wedding day without wasting time.