Embracing (and preparing) for photographs in the Rain

As photographers, Chad and I have always enjoyed natural light photography in the great outdoors. Admittedly, we try to avoid those rainy days fearing it would not result in great photographs. This weekend we were photographing an outdoor wedding and had our first ever challenge with the rain. A wedding day is not going to change, so you have to roll with the punches.  Rather than fearing the worst, I am here to debunk the theory that you cannot have a beautiful photographs in the rain. I encourage everyone to embrace what Mother Nature is gives you and say yes to the rain!

Here are some tips to photographing clients in the rain:
1. Understand what your clients want first and foremost. When we first met our clients, Jason & Denise, one of their inspiration photographs was a wedding couple with an umbrella in the rain. They understood that by planning a back yard outdoor wedding that there was a 50-50 chance that they could get rain. They were open to having their photographs in the rain and they planned accordingly. They ensured they had a tent for their ceremony and purchased a number of white umbrellas just in case. We allowed them to make the call if they wanted their photographs indoors or outdoors once it started to drizzle outside.

2. Have a back-up plan. We agreed ahead of time that if it was raining cats and dogs, we would book an indoor space as a back-up for their formal wedding portraits. Chad and I booked The Photographer Studio for our clients. We ensured we booked a long enough time in studio (just in case there were any other unforeseen delays). There are also areas that will still give you a mix between the outdoors and indoors, do not discount magical shots under a gazebo, on a porch, in a parking garage or the overhang of buildings.

Use a tent for coverage from the rain!

3. Be prepared. I cannot stress this enough to all our clients. You can never be too prepared. Jason and Denise were already prepared with umbrellas, but Chad and I carry a full size tool box on wheels full of emergency supplies. I brought along blankets, grass mats and a fur stole to keep the bride warm. We always bring a variety of wipes in case anything gets dirty. We also packed extra clothes and shoes in case anything got too wet. While it is easy to focus solely on your clients, don’t forget to protect your camera equipment! Bring plastic bags and towels for your precious gear. 

Stay warm with props like a fur stole!

4. Don’t let it stifle your creativity or throw your game off. When it started to rain, my initial reaction was to rush in order to protect the clients from getting cold and wet. As Jason and Denise began to assure us that they were OK with being in the rain, we stood back, took a deep breath and re-grouped ourselves. We used the rain to our advantage. When it was drizzling out, we shot images with the umbrellas. When the wind picked up a bit, the fur stole warmed up the bride and made for some gorgeous images. When we had planned our props in different locations, we adjusted and kept them close to the vehicle. Jason and Denise wanted to use their vintage-style bike in a few shots and I brought an old barn wood bench. Instead of taking the time to carry them into a far location where it would be difficult to rush back if it started to pour, we set them in a scene close to our vehicle. In hindsight, these shots would have never happened on a sunny day. We used the grey skies to our advantage! 

 

Let prop help your creativity!

5. Change your timing. We encouraged Jason and Denise to carry on with their plan and we would adjust shooting accordingly. The rain could throw off your clients’ schedule slightly, as photographers, we understand and adjust our schedule accordingly. We always like to take on the calming role with our clients and we roll with the punches. We want those beautiful shots just as badly as the clients do. We had planned on shooting all of the formal portraits before dinner. When things got a little delayed, we agreed to change our timing of photographs. Again, Chad and I came prepared. We ensured we brought our flashes so that as the sun went down, we could finish the shots as planned.

Flash photography with bubbles!

In all honesty, the rain inspired Chad and I and it was a reminder of why we love what we do. The rain tested our skills, but we rose to the challenge and could not be happier with the results of the day. The rain brought a new sense of beauty that we never saw before.

We always send our clients a little sneak peek of their wedding day the evening after and here is what Jason & Denise said about our photographs....it really does make it all worth it!  Trust us!

"We just looked at the photos and video (through some very teary eyes) 
OH MY GOD!!!!!
They are SOOOOOOOO AMAZING!!!!!!!
We love them so much. We can't wait to see the rest!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
From the bottom of our hearts and with the greatest sincerity thank you...
You have captured our day and our love for one another...we are truly overcome with joy."

Jason and Denise.  :D

We do wedding photography too!

Vintage Photography also loves to celebrate "a modern romance" with our portrait, couple, engagement and wedding photography. We always photograph our portrait sessions as a team of two or more. We each bring a different perspective to your special moments from the small details and candid moments to the more formal portraits, we ensure your day has the ultimate coverage.

As part of our wedding package, we do an engagement session with all of our couples for FREE!  We like to offer this to our clients as we feel it is a great way for them to get to know us and our style of photography.  We also take this opportunity to give pointers to the couple on posing, best angles and tips of do's and don'ts so that when it comes to the wedding day, they know exactly how to nail that perfect shot!  The engagement session is also an opportunity for us to understand and learn what the couple likes and doesn't like photographed of themselves.  When we review the photographs after with the couple, they will often comment on photographs of themselves that they don't like...whether it be "that's not my good side" or "I wish I was on the other side of my fiance" or "I like this side of face where my hair falls".... these are all mental notes that we take to ensure that we capture the best of the couple on the special

On July 23, 2016, we had the pleasure of photographing Wendy & James for their wedding.  Wendy reached out to us in January and we spent a lot of time with her planning out the day.  We captured Wendy, James & Alex in our first ever Winter Engagement photo session and stayed in regular contact with her up until the big day.  We do this to ensure our couples know that we are ever bit as committed to their special day as they are and with our photo booth business, we have seen a lot of things that offer great advice to our couples.

When we met with Wendy a month prior to the wedding, she had a list of loose ends she needed to complete.  When we could see that she was feeling overwhelmed just speaking about it, we offered to assist.  One of her biggest projects outstanding was her seating chart.  We offered to design it for her and she loved the result so much she asked us to design all of her posters for the day.  

On the big day, we often have to roll with the punches.  Schedules are always a little off or guests do not arrive when they are supposed to.  We always remain calm and assure the bride and groom that we will capture every moment and detail no matter the time.  This often makes the couple feel at ease.  We also carry a large tool kit around with us that has wet naps, tide to go, make up blotters, Kleenx, gum, bug spray and a whole lot of other emergency supplies.  If something happens, we are there with a solution!

It was a great pleasure spending so much time getting to know Wendy, James and their families.  By the end of the day, we felt like part of their family!  They are a beautiful couple who had the most beautiful day!  

We love when our clients speak well of us as well, Wendy posted this little snip-it of us on her Facebook after the wedding.....

"Vintage photography did my wedding photos but they did so much more than that.  

Dre and Chad are so kind and generous with everything. They helped with things i needed before the big day like they made all of my signs. Seating chart, Bar menu, # signs, Etc. They ensured to take whatever stress they could off of me. That was out of the kindness of their hearts no extra charge. For sure these 2 wonderful people will be our friends after everything said and done. Not to mention how prepared they were with everything Dre had a tide to go pen ready and Kleenex or wet naps I cant remember both for when the bird pooped on me. Their talent is amazing. Love them."

If you are looking for your special day to be captured by caring and down to earth photographers, please reach out to us!  We'd love to meet you and assist you with your special day!

Vintage Photography Partners with River City Revue Burlesque!

Last December Chad had the pleasure of meeting the troupe of River City Revue Burlesque at their Christmas show.  Since then, Vintage Photography has connected with the glamorous and beautiful ladies of the troupe to partner with them on some very exciting initiatives.

River City Revue Burlesque is an Edmonton based burlesque troupe that gathers inspiration from classic striptease and American Burlesque.  They combine high production value, political satire and of course their womanly wiles to create glamorous and unforgettable shows.  RCR puts on a number of shows throughout the year including performances a the Edmonton International Fringe Festival!  They are also available for private and public bookings, stagettes, classes, workshops, modelling and other shows!

Each of the troupe members are truly inspirational as they strive to break down stereotypes through their meaningful and beautifully choreographed performances.  They combine elements of theater, comedy, satire, music and adult entertainment.  I was truly inspired by their performance to the song "Confident" by Demi Lovato where they encourage anyone to tear down the "labels" others inflict on you and find what makes you confident.  It really is a reminder to all of us who worry all too much about what others think of us!

Through the months of April and July, we photographed each of the troupe members in both Pin-Up and Film Noir with the intent of designing print items for both of us to sell.  We are thrilled to introduce the first of our designs on sale now!  Find us at their show "A Feast of the Gods" at this year's Edmonton International Fringe Festival to purchase post cards of each of the troupe members!

We are selling 5 collectors' series of the RCR troupe along with 5 different post cards of each troupe member for $5.  We are also selling individual postcards of each troupe member for $2 each.

Here is a sneak peak of the postcards on sale now!  We have limited quantities of each available, so find us at their show and get yours today!  You may also contact us directly through instant messaging either on our Instagram feed at @vintagephotographyab or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-Photography-

Introducing Kiki Quinn, Betsy Ryder, Layla Le Lay, Lilly Whyte & Portia de Saucy.....

 

Vintage Photography welcomes Kayla to the team!

When we started our portrait photography, it was important to us to always have both of us shooting.  We felt offering two perspectives and creative styles was important.  It also meant that we ensured one of us was always "camera ready" so no moment was missed.  Chad often took on the role of main shooter capturing full body shots and I often focused on more close-up shots and assisting with setting up the shot with our clients.  Little did we know that a third shooter would also be beneficial!

We are pleased to introduce Kayla Kashuba to the Vintage Photography team as a third shooter!

Kayla and I met while working together at our day jobs and I instantly knew that she had a creative spirit within her.  We worked on several projects together and her camera work and unique perspective became very evident.  She is also an absolute beauty so when we launched our Pin-Up and Film Noir Photography late last year, I had asked if she'd be willing to model for us.  She not only is a fantastic model, she is also very knowledgeable about posing, unique camera angles and making the client feel at ease from the moment you met her.

Kayla's Pin-Up Model Debut

Kayla has always been a creative and imaginative soul.  From a very early age she owned a camera and was taking photographs of herself and sister.  I truly believe she invented the selfie!  By knowing herself behind and in front of the camera so well, she knows what angles and perspectives give the most captivating of shots.  She truly focuses her photography on finding the beauty and lighting that will leave you with your jaw dropped!

Kayla has joined our team this summer and you will see her shooting with us during our in studio work for Pin-Up and Film Noir and during our outdoor portrait sessions with families, couples and weddings.  

We are thrilled to have her on the team!

Vintage Photography sells Enclosed Photo Booth!

Three years ago, Chad and I embarked on a major adventure purchasing the first of two photo booths and created our small Edmonton business with portrait photography services.  It is bitter sweet for us to announce that we have sold our enclosed photo booth to Target Photography as of August 2, 2016.

We are both excited and sad to announce this change in our business.  When we decided to purchase the photo booth, we wanted it to be an add on benefit to our photography business.  Little did we know that it would take off so quickly to become the core of our business for the last three years.  With over 100 events under our belt, we loved providing Edmontonians with a photo booth experience like no other in the city!  We paid special care to every detail from the booth we purchased to the props, backdrops, displays and customer service we provided our clients.  It was important to us to always go above and beyond what our clients and their guests expected out of  a photo booth.

So why sell, you ask?  The simple answer is that we have become too busy to do it all.  In our minds, we thought the booth would be an add on to our photography business, we never thought it would become as popular as it did.  Unfortunately, it took us away from our true passion of photographing people.  When we started our Pin-Up and Film Noir photography this year, we realized we could no longer do everything with the time we had.  Chad and I both come from a hospitality background where providing an exceptional customer experience is key.  When we began to feel stretched, we worried that we would start to make mistakes or worse, not provide the level of service that has been ingrained in both us.  When we sat down to review our business goals in May, we felt that it was time to let something go.  Sadly, our enclosed photo booth consumed the most of our time and we made the difficult decision to post it for sale.

So what's next?  We are happy and excited to support Target Photography as they take over our enclosed photo booth business.  They have trained with us for several events and they are receiving all of our equipment, props, backdrops and displays.  Lawrence, his wife and son will begin taking over our clients this week.  The most amazing part of this sale is that they are a carbon copy of Chad and I.  They too believe in exceptional customer service, exceptional product delivery and providing a whole lot of fun to the photo booth experience.  They are offering everything we have to offer with one simple change....they did not keep our name.  They will operate under Target Photography.

We are gone but not forgotten!  We have retained our hashtag photo booth so that we can offer our clients with a portable photo booth option to add onto any event we are also photographing.  We felt it was important to keep this booth for that purpose alone.

To our clients, Chad and I want to say a huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you.  We've attended your weddings, birthdays, graduations and Christmas parties and have felt part of the evening.  We've shed tears at your weddings, laughed with your guests, outfitted everyone with amazing characters and shared some of the most treasured memories we have had throughout the last three years in business.  We have met so many amazing people and have been blessed to be a part of your special day!  Thank you for selecting us as your photo booth.  We can assure everyone that Lawrence and his team at Target Photography will be just as passionate about providing an amazing booth experience as we have been!  You may reach him at target@telus.net or 780.951.9791.   Please support him and his team as he takes of this new venture!

As a tribute to our time in the photo booth world, we have kept every single photograph we did of ourselves at each event to ensure the booth was ready to go.  Here are just a few of our favorites:

Once again, thank you to everyone for making our job easy and fun!  Please support Target Photography and book your next photo booth with them!