Choosing Your Wedding Dress

               Selecting a wedding dress can be just as important as choosing your wedding photographer or your wedding videographer. You want it to be perfect and feel like the right fit. It’s a reflection of your style and your personality. When you walk down the aisle, all eyes will be on you and that’s a lot of pressure. Finding your dream dress is crucial so you can strut down the aisle with confidence. You should feel beautiful.

               Even if you’ve been dreaming of your perfect wedding dress since you were small, take the time to do some research and figure out what styles you prefer. Rip out pages from magazines and scour through online bridal catalogs. You’ll find out fairly quickly what you like. On the other hand, keep an open mind because sometimes a dress that you would never even consider might be the one for you.

Finding the right dress can be stressful. Not only is it most likely the first time you’re trying on a wedding gown but it may also be the most expensive garment you will ever own. But dress shopping should be fun so tackle it with an open mind and a good support system. I’ve spoken with many brides and they all say that it feels like the shop associates are all speaking a different language. A-line, trumpet, chapel versus cathedral. There is a lot to consider but remember to breathe and enjoy the experience.

               I also recommend ignoring the sizing charts. No one is going to know your number besides you and your consultant, and it’s important that you wear a dress that fits you properly. Even if you plan on losing weight before your big day, shop the size that fits you now. It’s much easier to take a dress in than trying to maneuver one that is too tight.

               Have a budget in mind before you start shopping. Are you paying for the dress? Your parents or perhaps your partner? Talking numbers can be uncomfortable but it will make your experience so much easier if you know what you’re working with beforehand. It will save you the headache and the heartbreak if you fall in love with a dress that is way out of your budget.

               Lastly, wear the appropriate undergarments. It’s difficult to imagine what you’ll look like on your wedding day with a pair of hot pink straps poking out of your dress. Most brides prefer nude underwear and a strapless bra. Bringing a pair of Spanx isn’t a bad idea either.

               Enjoy the experience and have fun! Choose the dress that makes you feel stunning and walk down the aisle knowing you look picturesque.

My Equipment - Cameras

As a photographer, having reliable equipment is incredibly important. There are so many things to consider like lighting, stability, clarity and portability. When I started out as a wedding photographer in Niagara, I didn’t have nearly as many tools as I have now and I have had to build up my arsenal over time to make sure that I deliver the best product that I can.

I have used many cameras over the years but currently, I use the Nikon D750 as well as the Nikon Z6. I like to carry both of them with me on a shoot because I want to be able to use a variety of lenses at any given time. Having both of them on me allows me to take photos quickly and effectively without having to waste time switching lenses.

I have been using the Nikon D750 for a while now and there are a few things that I love about it. First of all, it has great resolution and takes quality photos. It makes editing painless. It also has a wide range of lenses which makes it easy to capture exactly what I want. I’m partial to the 85mm and the 75-200mm. Finally, it works well in low light, making capturing evening weddings as well as night time photography a breeze.

 About a year ago, I upgraded to the Z6 and I was very impressed with the camera. My videographer in St. Catharines and I prefer using this camera. It’s lightweight which is great when you already have to cart around a lot of other equipment. The last thing you want is to be weighed down by the cameras that you’re using. It also works really well in low light. Because of this, we’ve gotten quite a few great shots. We just filmed a surprise engagement in Niagara falls and it performed great! Aside from its other great qualities, one of the features I love the most is the viewfinder. It might seem like a small thing but the Z6 offers a lot more focal points than other cameras. It’s extremely responsive and user friendly. I look forward to the chance at tinkering with Nikon’s newest mirrorless camera, the Z7.

Posing Your Subjects for Great Photos

Unlike household items or inanimate objects, if you’re photographing subjects like people then you’re going to want to learn how to properly pose them. Especially if they are nervous in front of the camera. A lot of the time people don’t know where to stand or what to do with their hands. Awkward posing doesn’t discriminate either! It affects all stages of life.

POSING FAMILIES WITH KIDS

I shoot a lot of family photography in the Niagara region and working with families, big or small can sometimes be challenging. When you’re at a photoshoot with kids, you’ll want to pose them quickly before their attention is lost to something else. I like to keep them close to their parents, either leaning in against them or hanging onto one of their arms. If I can nail a handful of nice photos then I can relax and leave myself time for creativity. 

Candid shots where the parents get to play with the kids are great for two reasons. It allows the kids to take a break and it allows the family to move around freely, without having to worry about posing for the camera.

POSING COUPLES

If I’m working with couples, I like to keep things intimate and fun. Holding hands and walking towards or away from the camera always makes for a great shot. To avoid looking awkward, I like to place hands into pockets or shoulders and waists.

USING AVAILABLE PROPS

I remember shooting wedding photography in Niagara Falls and I had the bride and groom pose by the lookout, peering through the glasses and making googly eyes at each other. Utilizing your environment can be a fantastic way to keep your subject’s hands busy and your shots interesting.

GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION

Make sure to speak up and fix a pose that doesn’t quite seem right. It’s respectful to avoid touching your subjects but sometimes you will need to and that’s okay. At the end of the day, people need direction and your photoshoots will go a lot smoother if you plan ahead and aren’t afraid to get the perfect shot!

To book me as a family photographer in St. Catharines or a family photographer in the Niagara region click here!

Makeup Tips & Tricks

               Hello readers! I’m back this week to talk about makeup. Whether you’re hiring a team to glam you up or watching tutorials online, figuring out how to keep your makeup looking perfect all day can be a challenge.

SCHEDULE Time

The first thing I would recommend, much like when I talked about hair, is to allow yourself enough time. Applying your makeup about 45 mins to an hour before the wedding should do the trick.

Proper Skincare GOES A LONG WAY

Keep your skin clean, exfoliated, and hydrated to begin the process and achieve a glowing look. This will make sure that your makeup survives a day of sweating and dancing. To deal with excess oil, blot your t-zone with a tissue instead of applying more makeup.

EXPERIMENT BEFORE HAND

It’s also a great idea to play around with a few looks beforehand so you have one less thing to worry about on your big day. Book your trial 3-5 weeks before your wedding. A quick tip – wear a t-shirt that is a similar colour to your dress!

USE THE PROPER TYPES of MAKE UP

This goes without saying but consider waterproof foundation and mascara to avoid runny makeup. Trust me, there will be tears! It’s important that you use long-lasting products and products that best suit your skin type.

An alternative to lipstick, which you won’t have time to keep re-applying, is to go with a lip stain. Layer it with a sheer gloss and you’re ready to walk down the aisle and pose for photos (without smearing your makeup all over your partner).

EMERGENCY KIT

In the case of emergencies, make sure you or a bridesmaid carry around a few essentials to swoop in for any needed touch-ups.

Something that we may not have to consider forever but need to during these tough times is wearing a mask. Putting your safety and the safety of those around you is important but that doesn’t mean that you have to run the risk of ruining your beautiful look. I stumbled across a great blog that covers a step-by-step process that gives great tips for keeping your makeup intact during the pandemic.

Check out the images I took below for links to some amazing makeup artists!

@prettypleasemakeoverme

@beyoutifulbrides

@___dot_

@makeupjedi

Wedding Hair Do's And Don'ts

Everyone wants to look beautiful on their wedding day and over the course of my photography career, I’ve learned a few tips that I think will help you make sure you look your best. Regardless if you have long or short hair, straight, curly or somewhere in between it’s important to choose a hairstyle that best suits your personality and your style.

               First and foremost, try to gather inspiration from different photos. It’s great if you find a hairstyle that you fall in love with but it’s much more helpful for the hairstylist to have a collection of photos that they can use as a reference to give them a better idea of the overall look you want to achieve. This way you can point out different details that you like. Also, keep in mind that you don’t want to solicit too many opinions. We tend to rely on the opinions of our families, friends and even our partners but try to keep it simple. Sometimes having too many ideas swimming in your head is a bad thing.

               When you have a good idea of what you want, schedule a trial-run but don’t do it too early. Don’t leave yourself time to second-guess your decisions. Usually, four to six weeks before the wedding is best. This way you can work out the kinks, save time and have one less thing to worry about before your big day. Another thing to avoid is changing your hair too close to the wedding. This includes trying out a new salon as well as getting a new cut or colour. The results can be devastating. If it’s unavoidable then take photos of your trial and bring them with you so that the next hairstylist is prepared to work around your wedding look.

               Lastly, remember to be open-minded and trust your stylist. Set realistic expectations so you’re not disappointed by the end result (we can’t all look like Taylor Swift). Your stylist was hired for a reason so let them work their magic!

               Hair salons that I have been to personally and where I have received excellent customer service include Jazzy Cutz & Storm. Click the images below to be linked to some fantastic salons!

Hair by @prettypleasemakeoverme

Hair by @PicassoSalon

Hair by @beyoutifulbrides

Hair by @Alessandrosalon

Hair by @Alessandrosalon

Hair by @makeupjedi

Hair by @textureshairsalonnotl

Engagement Photo Shoots

Hello and welcome to my new blog where I’ll be talking about everything photography! I’ll be posting about all of my favourite locations, where to look when selecting wedding attire, meal plans, and even let you in on some of my tips and tricks to give you an inside look at how my photoshoots take place.

The first topic I want to delve into is engagement photoshoots which I offer complimentary if you book a wedding with me. For more information on my packages visit http://www.etangphotography.com/weddingsrates. I recently included a budget-friendly package!

Through a little exploration, I have discovered a number of great locations for engagement shoots scattered throughout the Niagara region. Locations I love include; Oak Garden Theatre, Clifton Hill, Happy Rolph’s, Butterfly Conservatory, Jaycee Park, Decew Falls, St. Johns Conservatory, Niagara Falls, Dufferin Islands, Charles Daley Park, Butler’s Barracks, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Woodend and numerous waterfalls in Hamilton. In the fall time, Short Hills, St. Johns and beside the Butterfly Conservatory are all beautiful.

Regardless of the long list, my all-time favourite location will always be Queenston Heights. Queenston Heights offers variety and a lot of different, breathtaking backdrops to enhance a couple’s newfound love. It is monumental and an important piece of history. I recently had the pleasure of working with a lively couple with who I shared a lot of funny moments. It was fun to challenge myself and see how many different shots I could take, the diverse scenery leaving so much room for creativity.

Click the image to view more photos like this!

In the end we had a blast. This is why I love being a photographer in the Niagara area. No matter which direction you drive, there is always a picturesque view right around the corner.