Mirrorbox Photography – The Professional Photography Duo Talk Weddings & Being The Bride…

Morning All!  Last year, Sam Stevens of Mirrorbox Photography got herself married.  And Sequoia Hearne, also of Mirrorbox Photography took the pictures.  Between the three of us, we thought it would make a rather marvellous little blog feature for Sequoia to interview Sam and write about the experience of photographing her, rather than photographing with her! 🙂

This feature includes some great insights from the professionals, into the experience of being photographed on your wedding day – and how to ensure that experience runs as smoothly as possible.

The Bride in the most beautiful, strapless, sapphire blue dress and fabulous pheasant feather head-piece by the way, is the lovely Sam on her wedding day {more on that dress and headpiece at the end of this feature!}.  For now, I hope you enjoy this interview style feature between these two fabulous photographers 🙂

Over to Sam and Sequoia…

Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Mirrorbox Photography

Sequoia: Ok, so it was quite a big day when you got married.  I was pretty nervous about taking your pictures as you are my colleague (and friend) and I wanted to get you the best images possible.

Sam: Were you really nervous?  It didn't show on the day, you looked calm and collected.  In charge.

Sequoia:  Thank you.  I'm glad you didn't see me blowing into a paper bag throughout the course of the day.  OK, first question: We did some shots when you were getting ready. Some brides like this idea and some don't – what appealed to you about having pictures taken during the preparations? And what advice would give you brides considering something similar? …

Sam:  I love taking the prep shots at weddings I shoot. It is always a chance to get to know the bridesmaids and the brides family. Before becoming a wedding photographer I always imagined that the bride and the bridesmaids would be dashing around in a mad panic. However it is usually quite the opposite.

The girls usually take quite a long time over getting ready so it is usually a time of tranquility and girly chat.  I know on my wedding day I was strangely calm, perhaps a little dazed. I have never taken that long to get ready in my life, usually it takes me 10 minutes before dashing out of the door. It was really nice to get some photographs of the preparations and being surrounded by my closest friends. I also think this a great opportunity to get some beautiful bridal portraits on your own before you trot down to aisle to your bequeathed. Having a female photographer taking these photographs is definitely a bonus. The photographs always turn out better when you are comfortable with your photographer.

Sequoia:  Yeah, in our experience its often the groom who shows signs of nerves.  Especially in the 5 minutes before the bride arrives at the church!

Sequoia: Were there any details which were really important to have photographs of?  How do they look in your album?

Sam: There were a lot of small personal details at my wedding. A lot made by my husband and myself and others by friends and family. It was really important for me to have photographs of these as not only did they take a lot of effort but these are the things you forget.

Sequoia: I guess because you are getting ready you don't really have time to stroll around the venue and take in all the details.

Sequoia: So, how much planning did you put into the photography? Did you keep lists of shots you wanted or look online at pictures you really liked the style of?

Sam: I did do a bit of planning for my photographs. As you know I emailed you photographs I liked so you could get an idea of the style I wanted to create.

Sequoia: Yeah, that was really helpful.    And I guess when you're in the planning stages you'll find tonnes of photos you like so you've got a big resource of images to choose from?

Sam:  Most of these photographs were not wedding photographs however, I am influenced by film, fashion and art and a lot of the photographs I sent weren't exactly literal but perhaps evoked an emotion or I just liked the colours or cropping. I did leave a lot of it to you however as I love your photography style and knew I could rely on you to create some amazing images. Which indeed you did.

Sequoia: Why thank you!  Ok, moving on the the ceremony: were you aware of me taking pictures?…

Sam:  I was not aware of you taking pictures of me at all. In fact I only now know where you were standing because of guest photographs I have seen with you in them. It is funny because shooting weddings I am really aware of the sound of my shutter going off. Sometimes it sounds as though the sound of the shutter clicking is like the sound of me firing a shotgun.  Having now been a bride I am aware it is all in my head and with your ninja-like levels of stealth I didn't hear you at all.

 

Sequoia: I don't like to talk about my years of ninja-training, but it has certainly proved useful in the wedding business.  Changing the subject now from martial arts, what tips can you pass on to brides about getting your group shots done?  They are a must-have for nearly every wedding.  I remember yours took about half an hour on the day, did you get everyone you wanted?

Sam:  It was really nice to get photographs with our respective families. However these really aren't the photographs I cherish the most. I really like the candid photographs you took of my family and friends. I guess it was easier for you to know who a lot of the people were but for the rest I employed one of my bridesmaid’s Bronagh, who know’s everyone, to help point out who was who.

Sequoia: What were the must-have shots? Guests mingling? Couple shots?

Sam:  Obviously the ceremony shots were very important to me but my favourite shots are the ones of just Rod and I. We literally went for a walk into the woodlands you snapped us being a romantic, just married couple.   It was great fun too. You were not afraid to ask us to pose for quirky shots as you knew
we would be up for it.

Sequoia: And you guys were relaxed in front of the camera.  Actually, I'd say that every single couple we've shot has been so relaxed after the wedding that they look great in the photos, really natural.  The photo booth in the evening was a great success for the same reason – all your guests were in the mood for mischief.  What gave you the idea to do that?

Sam: As you were also a guest at my wedding I didn’t want you to be shooting all night, but I didn’t want to miss out on the fun evening shots either. We overcome this problem by setting up a self portrait photo booth.  There was an ideal little room just off the main hall way, just enough room for a chair, a light and my camera set up on a self timer with a trigger release. After my husband’s speech he made everyone aware of where it was and instructed them that they should use it with fervour. I love these photographs and the guests also loved taking them.

Hehehe!!! 

Thank you so very much Sam and Sequoia of Mirrorbox Photography for sharing all your insider information with Love My Dress 🙂

Of course, I had to ask Sam about that blue dress and headpiece…

"I didn't want to wear a white dress, not because I am a non-conformist but because I wouldn't usually wear a white dress, so why wear one on my wedding day.  I think a lot of people get hung up on what they are supposed to do on their wedding day and not what comes naturally to them.  I knew straight away that I wanted to design my own dress; I didn't step foot in a bridal shop.  I took my inspiration from magazines, and couture fashion houses.  I think I wanted my dress to be green at first but I then saw a dress on Karen Elson and I just loved the colour – a deep sapphire blue.

Next I knew I wanted it to include a vintage brooch of some kind.  And I found the perfect one in Starry, Starry Night in Glasgow…

So the dress kind of grew organically around that.  I drew some sketches and took them into Che Camille – an independent design studio for Scottish Artists and Fashion Designers. I had about four fittings and each time we would change the dress a little until I was completely happy with it.

I am a big hat person so I knew I would like to wear one.  I also wanted it to really stand out.  Not wearing white I was slightly worried I would look like just another guest. I met Scottish Milliner William Chambers through Che Camille and he designed the hat around my dress."

Much love all 🙂

Annabel xXx

♥