Wedding Videos

After the wedding day is over and all of the images have been edited, I start assembling a collection of photos from throughout the day - Getting Ready, Ceremony, Formals and Reception - into a highlight reel.  I then notify my clients and schedule a Premiere Night.  We roll out the virtual red carpet, put out some snacks and refreshments and view their video.  While we don't do wedding videography here (see the Bride's Room for recommendations), this slideshow of images isn't a boring view by any means.

Let's take a look at Brittany and Shaun's Chicago Wedding in Grant Park as an example:

View Brittany and Shaun's Chicago Wedding in full screen here.

Spending the day with this lovely couple, I got to know them fairly well.  I knew that the fast paced, Indie rock soundtrack would be a good fit.

These wedding videos come with the Digital Deluxe Package in DVD format and is packaged along with the disc of images of the wedding.  Friends and family will get to view this video on the web and share it onto Facebook no matter what wedding packaged is purchased.

This same style of video is available to my engagement clients as well.  Not only does the engagement photography look great displayed at the reception, the couple is more at ease in front of the camera come time for the wedding as well as knowing the process of how all this works - editing, Premiere Night, etc.

Let's take a look at my Northwest Indiana and Chicago engagement photography highlight video:

View the Northwest Indiana and Chicago Engagement video in full screen here.

I'm just beginning to stock up the Region Weddings You Tube Channel so you can have one place to check out many different wedding videos that I have made for clients.  We have a handful uploaded now for viewing.

If you are catching this post via your mobile browser, don't forget to download the free Mobile Apps for iPhone, iPad and select Android devices.

Download the free Region Weddings Mobile App:
http://moblalbum.com/124/gallery/1495  

Download the free Region Weddings Engagement  App for iPhone, iPad & Android:

http://moblalbum.com/124/gallery/2004 

Download the free Chicago Sessions Mobile App for iPhone, iPad and Android: http://moblalbum.com/124/gallery/6228

 

Your Wedding Photos on Your iPhone, iPad or Android Smartphone

Many prospective wedding couples ask me if they get their wedding photos on a disc.  Yes, we deliver digital images on a disc.  However, we also have something even cooler.  Your very own Mobile App of Wedding Photos for iPhone, iPad and select Android smartphones.

Having a wedding album is terrific and in my mind a must have.  However, it's not something you will have with you at all times.  Imagine going to the salon and having the stylists ask you about your wedding.  Well, you can pull out your iPhone and show them on the spot.  Better yet, you can share with them within the app by sending the link out so they can download your very own wedding photo app for themselves!!  Sharing the App is free and does NOT require an App Store of any kind.

All of my 2012 wedding clients will be receiving a standard version of their very own wedding photo app.  This standard version will be a dozen images selected by me.  The premium version will have 24 images selected by the bride and groom for a one time fee of $19.99.  It can then be shared for no additional charge to as many people as you would like.

NOTE: Use your Mobile Browser for the following sample Apps.  For fastest download use a wi-fi connection.

Download the free Region Weddings Mobile App:
http://moblalbum.com/124/gallery/1495  

Download the free Region Weddings Engagement  App for iPhone, iPad & Android:

http://moblalbum.com/124/gallery/2004 

Here is an example of a recent client's standard app:

Jessica and Allen: New Years Eve Wedding

If you are a past client and would like to have an app made for your wedding or engagement session, please fill out my contact form and let me know.

LaPorte Winter Wedding Sneak Peek

Heather and Mike's winter wedding in LaPorte, Indiana occured just last week and it was a grand affair.  Most of our wedding photos, including the bride and groom first look above, took place at The Allure Banquet Hall in downtown LaPorte, Indiana.

Our day started with the Getting Ready session at the couple's house which had been turned into a makeshift hair salon...

With hair and make up complete, we headed to The Allure's bride's room which has a loft surrounded by brick and large mirrors.  There is even a full shower available.

The ceremony took place at St. John's in New Buffalo, Michigan where the bride and groom where surrounded by family for their first kiss...

The newly married couple was all smiles when walking back down the aisle after being married...

Before the celebration began we took advantage of The Allure's balcony for a retro looking bride portrait...

DJ Wade Breitzke of 27 Entertainment did a fantastic job entertaining the crowd during the "breaking of the ice" shenanigans which tested the couple's knowledge of one another with humor.

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Many more images to follow.  Be sure to follow this Journal or the SBV Photography Facebook Page for more updates on Mike and Heather's winter wedding in LaPorte.

Group Wedding Photos

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Getting a really good looking group shot at a wedding can be a challenge.  First, you have to gather all the right people in a timely manner and you will also have to light it correctly.  Oh, and your family probably aren't trained models so they will want to bunch up behind each other awkwardly.  Fear not, my assistant and I will remedy this for you.  Modern wedding photography has enabled us to break the rules a little, but we still want to have images that look cool for the bride and groom as well as grandparents alike.

The large group above is from my latest wedding this past New Years Eve at Bethel Church in Crown Point.  Here is how I approached putting together this large group.

 

  • We had a shot list for the bride and groom to fill out and were expecting a large family to gather for a formal photograph.
  • We placed the bride and groom in the center and tried to make sure they did not leave this spot.
  • Close family (parents, grandparents, etc.) were placed closest to the couple.
  • Kids were placed on the stairs and told to sit as they can get restless otherwise.
  • The more senior people were brought in last so they didn't have to stand too long.
  • We carry studio lighting with a softbox and reflectors to make sure everyone is lit and can be seen.

If there is one thing I try to avoid for family photos or wedding party images is what I call "the bad office party" photo.  You always see these in newspaper of the company newsletter.  This is where everyone rushes up and people are bobbing behind one another and are often hidden.  I like to have people gather around something.  

In this photograph below from the choir loft at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University, I clustered the groomsmen and bridesmaids around the piano as well as the bride and groom.  The maid of honor and the best man are sitting while everyone else stands to signify that they are of importance to the bride and groom.

 

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If I can't find anything to have the group gather around, sometimes I'll just get up high and have them look up to me.  I stood on a ledge for the above shot at Centennial Park in Munster, Indiana.  The sun was bright at this September wedding and putting the wedding party in this low spot also took them out of the blinding rays of the afternoon sun.  We were also able to capture the beautiful lake at the same time.

The scene below is from an outdoor wedding at Marquette Park Pavilion off of Lake Michigan in Gary, Indiana. The idea here was to capture the lagoon in the background and the wedding party leading up from the steps pointing to the stars of the show- the newlyweds.

As you plan your wedding or are filling out the shot list I provide to you, here are some tips to remember:

 

  • Put a friend / family member in charge of gathering together the people you want in your group photos.
  • Make sure the people who we will be taking pictures of know in advance that they are expected to be in your wedding photos.  You'd be surprised how many people wander off after the ceremony.
  • We shoot very quickly.  However, group photos do take some time so let's schedule that in.  
  • Let's plan on changing scenery after awhile.  Imagine a wedding album with the same background with different people.  After a few pages like this, it can get boring.  I want to give you a variety of backgrounds if possible.  Even if it just means walking a few feet away.
  • Let's photograph your family first (the largest groups) and work our way back down to the to of you.
  • Don't forget couple's shots!!  I like to whisk away the happy couple for some romantic shots alone with no distractions if possible.  It's also important for the two of you to have a chance to breathe and just be man and wife for a few minutes.

If you have access to some cool props such as this vintage convertible, let's include it in some shots.

 

Landmarks are also a great use for wedding group photos.  The image below has the replica of "the ruins" at Gardens on the Prairie in Lowell, Indiana.  I also stood on a step tool to give myself some height for a unique vantage point.

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