Notify your photographer of special shots with specific people~ Brides are so busy on their wedding day that many times they forget to inform their photographer of special shots with specific people that they are wanting.  Whether it be a best friend coming in from out of town or that great grandmother that you want a picture of or maybe an heirloom at your wedding that you want to make sure you are holding in a picture.  These are shots that aren’t going to be your standard shots that you will want to inform your photographer about.

Family situations~ It is much easier to discuss family situations before the big day, such as parents divorce or cases where two people may not want to be in a picture together.   Weddings are a time when relatives are gathered in one spot & often times there can be conflicts.  Letting your photographer know beforehand to do shots separately with specific people can save a lot of stress & prevent issues on your special day.  This way no one is stepping on toes or making anyone feel uncomfortable.  You can be prepared beforehand to do a shot with mom & then a shot with dad.

Hair~ Before you make a drastic change such as a new color or new haircut make sure you give yourself enough time to make the changes necessary in case you aren’t particularly fond of it.  Also when deciding how to do your hair think about how you normally wear it.  We often times have clients wish they would have done something different with their hair as they don’t think they look like themselves when they have a new hair style that they normally wouldn’t wear. For example if you normally wear your hair down you may not feel like you look like yourself.   Hiring a professional for your hair & make up is always recommended.  Hire someone you trust & be sure to do a test run prior to your wedding or photo session to be sure you are both on the same page & loving your look.

Let your photographer know what you like & what you don’t like~ Communicating with your photographer is extremely important.  Everyone is unique & likes different things.  Some couples prefer more traditional, posed shots and others like a creative approach with different angles, fish eye shots, candid shots & special effects.  If you have a preference or want something specific let your photographer know.  The shoot is about you & what it is you want.  A good photographer will be able to do what it is you ask & can shoot various styles.  If you see something you like or want to recreate let your photographer know & show them what you want.  We want you to get the most out of your photography session so let us know what you want.

Bad Weather~ Unfortunately we can’t control the weather & neither can you.  We encourage our brides to embrace the weather & make it part of their memories for their wedding day.  Don’t let the weather get you down.  This is your special day & regardless of the weather it will be spectacular, make it so!  Your wedding day will be one to remember always.  Bring out those umbrella’s & let’s make the best of the weather. A couple other alternatives just in case you have bad weather on your wedding day would be a pre-shoot or an after wedding shoot, but remember you won’t have all the family again so be sure to get the special family shots you want on your actual wedding day.

Editing & turn around times~ Our turn around times vary depending on the season, however we have extremely fast turn around times.  Contact our office for specific turn around times.  Intense editing such as removal of objects from an image will be done on the images that are chosen to print not on every image that you receive on the disk.  If you want extra images edited we are happy to do so for an additional fee.

Don’t forget to smile & have fun~ Don’t let all the stress of planning this day take over.  Once your day has finally arrived let things fall into place & enjoy the moment.  This is your day to shine & be the center of attention.  Enjoy it!!

When to do your  Bridals or Pre-shoot~ schedule bridals at least 3 weeks prior to wedding day to prevent rush charges & stress in case they’d like to make prints for the wedding.

Rings~In case of having a pre-shoot or want your groom to be in your bridals, be sure to have him wear his wedding ring.

Tux~ Some tux shops may offer you a deal for your pre-shoot or bridal session.  Be sure to ask when renting your tux.

Flowers~ Don’t forget to order your bride bouquet.  Some florists will offer a free bridal bouquet for your pre-shoot or bridal session prior to you wedding.  Be sure to ask your florist.  Also fake flowers in place of real flowers for bouquets,   if done well, they can look fine from far away but you can tell they are fake with close up shots.  Check with your florist for their recommendations.

Hair~ Before you make a drastic change such as a new color or new haircut make sure you give yourself enough time to make the changes necessary in case you aren’t particularly fond of it.  Also when deciding how to do your hair think about how you normally wear it.  We often times have clients wish they would have done something different with their hair as they don’t think they look like themselves when they have a new hair style that they normally wouldn’t wear. For example if you normally wear your hair down you may not feel like you look like yourself.   Hiring a professional for your hair & make up is always recommended.  Hire someone you trust & be sure to do a test run prior to your wedding or photo session to be sure you are both on the same page & loving your look.

Let your photographer know what you like & what you don’t like~ Communicating with your photographer is extremely important.  Everyone is unique & likes different things.  Some couples prefer more traditional, posed shots and others like a creative approach with different angles, fish eye shots, candid shots & special effects.  If you have a preference or want something specific let your photographer know.  The shoot is about you & what it is you want.  A good photographer will be able to do what it is you ask & can shoot various styles.  If you see something you like or want to recreate let your photographer know & show them what you want.  We want you to get the most out of your photography session so let us know what you want.

Bad Weather~ Unfortunately we can’t control the weather. We do our best to inform our clients of the possibility of inclement weather but ultimately it is up to you if you want to continue with your shoot or reschedule.  Keep in mind that if you choose to keep a scheduled shoot during inclement weather your pictures will have rain or snow in them and that your hair may go frizzy or flat & you could have rain spots on your clothing.  There could be snow spots on the camera & some locations may not be as beautiful.  Ultimately we try to discourage photo shoots during inclement weather so that you can get the best images possible.

Editing & turn around times~ Our turn around times vary depending on the season, however we have extremely fast turn around times.  Contact our office for specific turn around times.  Intense editing such as removal of objects from an image will be done on the images that are chosen to print not on every image that you receive on the disk.  If you want extra images edited we are happy to do so for an additional fee.

Locations & Times~ Listen to your photographer about the best locations & times for your shoot.  If you have a specific place in mind let them know about it & get their opinion.  Having good lighting and a variety of scenery will make a huge difference in having your images turn out the way you like them.  It is ultimately up to you on where you want to go but keep in mind we need to have good light & scenery to make the images turn out fantastic.

Engagement Sessions

When should you schedule your engagement shoot~ It is important to schedule your engagement shoot at least 3 weeks prior to the date you want to mail out your announcements to prevent rush charges & stress.

Hair~ Before you make a drastic change such as a new color or new haircut make sure you give yourself enough time to make the changes necessary in case you aren’t particularly fond of it.  Also when deciding how to do your hair think about how you normally wear it.  We often times have clients wish they would have done something different with their hair as they don’t think they look like themselves when they have a new hair style that they normally wouldn’t wear. For example if you normally wear your hair down you may not feel like you look like yourself.   Hiring a professional for your hair & make up is always recommended.  Hire someone you trust & be sure to do a test run prior to your wedding or photo session to be sure you are both on the same page & loving your look.

Let your photographer know what you like & what you don’t like~ Communicating with your photographer is extremely important.  Everyone is unique & likes different things.  Some couples prefer more traditional, posed shots and others like a creative approach with different angles, fish eye shots, candid shots & special effects.  If you have a preference or want something specific let your photographer know.  The shoot is about you & what it is you want.  A good photographer will be able to do what it is you ask & can shoot various styles.  If you see something you like or want to recreate let your photographer know & show them what you want.  We want you to get the most out of your photography session so let us know what you want.

Bad Weather~ Unfortunately we can’t control the weather. We do our best to inform our clients of the possibility of inclement weather but ultimately it is up to you if you want to continue with your shoot or reschedule.  Keep in mind that if you choose to keep a scheduled shoot during inclement weather your pictures will have rain or snow in them and that your hair may go frizzy or flat & you could have rain spots on your clothing.  There could be snow spots on the camera & some locations may not be as beautiful.  Ultimately we try to discourage photo shoots during inclement weather so that you can get the best images possible.

Editing & turn around times~ Our turn around times vary depending on the season, however we have extremely fast turn around times.  Contact our office for specific turn around times.  Intense editing such as removal of objects from an image will be done on the images that are chosen to print not on every image that you receive on the disk.  If you want extra images edited we are happy to do so for an additional fee.

Locations & Times~ Listen to your photographer about the best locations & times for your shoot.  If you have a specific place in mind let them know about it & get their opinion.  Having good lighting and a variety of scenery will make a huge difference in having your images turn out the way you like them.  It is ultimately up to you on where you want to go but keep in mind we need to have good light & scenery to make the images turn out fantastic.

What to wear~ This is such a personal choice as it is important for you to choose clothing that you are comfortable in & that reflects your style & personality.  Here are just a few simple tips to keep in mind: Cap sleeves & baby doll shirts typically aren’t flattering.  Depending on the location, the color red can wash people out.  Stay away from heavy patters as they can become distracting.  Many couples also bring outfit changes with different looks as well.   For more details on what to wear for your photo shoot check out a previous article HERE.

Winter weddings are always a hit!!  We love winter weddings as they are filled with lots of holiday excitement, chills, snow, ice & of course romance.  We shared some of our images with The bride and groom.com & they wrote a great article for brides and grooms planning a winter wedding.  Be sure to check it out here.

Have fun planning your winter wedding.

We wrote up a fun article for our friends at The Bride and Groom.com to help brides think of some fun photography ideas.  It was such a fun topic.  Here is the link where are article is: The Bride and Groom.com.  We hope it helps you come up with some new creative ideas for your next photo shoot.  If you need more ideas or want something specific for your next photo session, be sure to give us a call at 801-253-4111.  We love creative sessions.

You may also be interested in: What Colors to Wear for Your Photo Shoot

(I love the use of fall colors here & the red is just a great touch, not too much)

Colors~ We love to see Greens, blues, blacks & turquoise as base colors.  You can always accent with more dominant colors like Pink or Red but don’t use them as a main color they become too dominant & take away focus from the subjects face.  Try to stay away from yellow unless using it as an accent color. One of my favorite color schemes for the fall is brown, orange, tan & maybe a hint of maroon.  Make sure you choose tones that go well together & that fit the look of what you are going for.  Family pictures up at little cottonwood during the fall are fantastic.  The leaves are bright & colorful, there are lots of fun rocks & areas to take great shots.  When using the outdoors try to pull in some of those colors in your wardrobe, you will be amazed at how good you look when you go with the colors in nature.

Color contrast~ Don’t wear colors that will wash your face out.  If you wear a color that is too much like your skin tone you wont be as defined.  Try & stick with lighter or darker tones to give a good contrast between your skin color & you clothing.  Wearing all white or cream is one of my favorites, but it only works if there is a good contrast between skin color.  If you have olive skin color or a darker complexion white just may be a great fit for you.  You can always add other colors as accent colors if you want as well.

Matching~ You don’t have to be perfectly matching, in fact we prefer you aren’t.  Looking like you belong together is much more important than making sure every is matching.  Try keeping with a few colors (2 no more than 4- we typically recommend using 3 colors) that go well together & make sure the tones you choose look good together.

You may also be interested in:

What to wear for your photo shoot,  Planning Your Photo Shoot~Tips & Ideas,  & Choose Your Style.

Where will you put a framed picture~ If you are wanting a family picture on your wall & you have certain colors from your home you want tied into your picture this is a great time to do so. Why not coordinate clothing so that you will want to hang up a large picture in your home & the colors go perfectly.  You may spend a lot of money on framed artwork.  Why not make it a framed family picture instead.

Communicate if you want something specific~ We love creative customers.    We have lots of great ideas too so let’s collaborate and make the best images possible for you. At Swensen Photography we really focus on the classy look.  We want to give you images of your family that you are proud to hang on your wall.  We love the WOW factor, those are great pictures.  That is what we want to give to you.

Bring your favorite prop~ When it comes to props, think about what it is you are wanting to show with the prop.  If you child wears a superman cape around the house all day, maybe having one shot where everyone wears or brings something that fits their personality.  Maybe it won’t be the picture you want to blow up & hang on the wall, but it is one for the scrapbook for sure.  You will want to remember the fun things your kids do to show their personality. Hats, hair piece, flowers, favorite stuffed animal, bridal bouquet, Signs that say things like: “All because two people fell in love”, “Thank You!”, “Happily Ever After”.  We have had brides want to use thank you signs in a picture so they can insert it for wedding thank you cards.  The sky is the limit when it comes to props, just don’t choose something that will overtake your family being the focus point.  We also don’t recommend using props in every picture. We want to be sure you get many classic images without props as well.

Be sure to check out our galleries in on our website, Swensen Photography.com, to see lots of great examples & get ideas for your next photo shoot.

You may also like: What to wear for your photo shoot & Choose your Style.

There are lots of misconceptions as to what you can & can’t wear for a photo shoot.  Here are some great guidelines for you to stick to when deciding what to wear at your next photo shoot.

What to Avoid~

• We prefer no cap sleeves

• Avoid dominant colors (Red, Bright Yellow, Orange or Hot Pink) as main colors.  The camera can pick up reflected light from clothing & won’t be able to give the full attention to your face.

• Stay away from empire waist clothing

• Avoid different styles or looks in your group picture

• Clothing that will look dated in the near future

• Clothing that has logos, slogans or anything else that may distract from the focus of the face

• Stripes, polka dots or patterns that will cause distraction

• White socks or bright white shoes

What to look for~

• Solid colors with little or no pattern

• Belts or something that helps create an hour glass figure for women

• Shoes in good condition that are neutral & fit with your outfit

• Cool textures in clothing that won’t cause distraction but actually can create a great contrast & interesting look.

• Accessories that add but not over whelm, a simple addition to your look, maybe a belt, hat, scarf, hairpiece, jewelry, etc… When choosing a hat make sure you bring it but don’t wear it so we can get a look with & without that accessory. (Bags that Fit is a great boutique that offers a fantastic selection of clothes & accessories.They have lots of fun pieces and way cute belts that are a must see.  They do offer assistance in helping you find the right clothes for your body type too. So, check them out, we know you will love them.

There is so much more to talk about with what to wear for your photo shoot so check back soon for more details & suggestions.

To schedule your outdoor family photo session go here or contact our office at 801-253-4111.

We had a great time on our photo shoot with these two love birds,  Jace & Kimberly.  They are a really fun couple that love to go jeeping, finding wildlife or wild horses, finding old building or coal mines and pretty much exploring of any kind.  They also love taking pictures, especially when they find something incredible.

I love that Kimberly & Jace thought about adding hats in their pictures for their 1920′s themed wedding.  What a great idea!!  I also like how they chose the simple black & white, classic colors, for their clothes and how they coordinated  without having to have exactly the same outfit.    We are really excited for their wedding at the end of June.  I can’t wait to see the images from their wedding day.  Kimberly & Jace are from Wyoming (YES, we travel~contact our office for details 801-253-4111) and they are getting married at Heritage Farm Barn.

We were able to capture some great shots of Kimberly & Jace at the Nook & Cranny.  They have so many great images to choose from.  Kimberly & Jace thanks for being so fun to work with.  We look forward to seeing you in less than two months.

Why Choose Swensen Photography?

Hiring a photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make for your wedding.  I have read from many past brides how they wish they would have spent more money on their photographer or hired the photographer they really wanted but at the time they looked at other important aspects of their wedding as priorities.  Unfortunately the food & cake get eaten, the flowers die, the dress gets boxed up and all you have left is your photos.  Let me just say that you and your husband will share your memories with your parents, your future children and will look back at your pictures as a great way to remember the most wonderful day of your life, your wedding.  So here are just a few reasons on why to choose Swensen Photography.

Professional & Experienced Staff

We have Multiple, talented Photographers to ensure we meet all your needs.  We only hire the best and we know how to capture every moment of your special day.  We have been doing weddings and creating memories since 1993. Weddings are unpredictable and we are ready for anything.  Our head photographer is Justin.  Justin has loved photography since he was just a young child.  His dad had an old Rolleiflex camera that Justin was fascinated by and that struck the urge for him to learn more.  He started taking photography classes as soon as he could in high school and the rest is history.  Justin has an incredible gift for photography.  He is able to see what most of us can’t see through the lens and he doesn’t miss a thing.   His talent behind the camera, as well as his vision behind the computer, come together to create beautiful pictures you are sure to love.  Our other photographers are mainly used as a second camera for the packages that require complete coverage. All of our photographers are extremely talented and detail oriented and their vision behind the camera is remarkable.  They also are talented behind the computer editing and touching up little things to make your images perfection.

Award Winning Photography

Here is a list of just some of our awards:

2010 Numerous WPPI Accolades of Excellence
2010 Five awards of merit from the California Print competition
2009 1st Place IPPA Bridal Portrait
2009 1st Place PPA Regional Bridal Portrait
2009 2nd Place IPPA Bridal Portrait
2009 2nd Place PPA Regional Bridal Portrait
2009 3rd Place IPPA Wedding Portrait
2009 3rd Place PPA Regional Wedding Portrait
2008 1st Place IPPA Bridal Portrait
2008 1st Place IPPA Engagement Portrait
2008 2nd Place IPPA Bridal Portrait
2008 Fuji Masterpiece Award Winner
Selected for WPPI International Wedding Album
Kodak Gallery Award Winner

Incredible Standards

We hold ourselves to some very high standards to ensure our customers get the best images possible.  We love what we do & it shows in our work.   We want our customers to be just as happy as we are with our work.

Our Philosophy

Trust The Best! You only have one chance to get your wedding images right.  Don’t take a chance on a photographer who doesn’t have experience.  There are many unexpected things that happen at weddings, weather, accidents, disasters, we have seen it all.   We know how to overcome any unexpected event and still capture incredible images.  We also know how to capture the smallest detail of your wedding. You can’t redo a wedding.  Because of our many years of experience we will provide you with amazing images from start to finish, that you will love & will be proud to have on display.  Every picture will look good not just the ones we photo shop.  Many photographers shoot between 3000-5000 pictures and then delete the ones that aren’t good- they usually end up with about 600-800 pictures.  That is not what we do at Swensen Photography.  We take pictures start to finish without deleting unwanted images. All of our pictures are GREAT from start to finish.  There is no need to delete our pictures, we know how to get great shots & we do just that!

Personalization & Detail

We realize that everyone has specific needs and wants.  We pride ourselves in being flexible with our customers and strive to make each one happy.  Because we have such talented photographers we are able to do any style of photography that you like. You name it & we can do it!  This is your wedding, we want it to reflect your style & your look, not ours.  This is all about YOU!

Customer Service

We value our customers and want them to get the most out of their experience working with us.  At Swensen Photography we take pride in our work.  We give our clients high quality, amazing images that are timeless.  We have experienced photographers who have a passion for their work and want to make every picture perfect.  We put a lot of attention to detail when we are taking pictures, as well as the editing process afterwards. Because the density on cameras is not perfect we do fix things that other photographers don’t.  We have a patented system that takes good pictures and enhances them making them even better.  We color balance every picture and use photo shop to help edit any imperfections we may see.  Because of our talent we can edit as much or as little as our customers like.  Some clients like to have perfect look while others want the look the natural look.   We have an amazingly talented team that wants to give you just what you are looking for.  We go the extra mile to make sure that you get what you want.  We love working with our clients.

Don’t just settle when choosing a photographer, get the BEST~ call Swensen Photography TODAY~ 801-253-4111.

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