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Jan
07
Wedding photographers are by your side nearly every moment of your wedding day. They’re snapping away at your most intimate moments: your first glance at the person you plan to be with forever, your smile as you’re finally wed, and your initial step onto that dance floor. But how much do you really know about how they work—and how do they really get close and intimate with you?
Here are the five secrets of wedding photographers they wish you knew ahead.
1. They are watching your chemistry.
When the couple first sees each other at their wedding and they relax instantly, it’s a sign that they’re going to last. That’s how we know it here at Saiaf Films.
As a Minnesota Arab Wedding Photographer, we shoot an average of 20 to 30 wedding a year, and we can tell when a couple has really great chemistry. It’s when they’re in sync with each other and when they’re fun-loving with each other. Once in a while, though, there’s the bride and groom who aren’t really into each other, and don’t really hang out at the wedding. That’s a red flag—as is the couple who are worrying incessantly about everything being perfect during their wedding instead of simply relaxing and enjoying their big day.
2. They love photo booths, too.
Sure, the quality of the pictures in there may not be totally amazing, but those photo booths are so much fun. And they even help your wedding photographer in Minnesota do their job.
During the reception, we go around and take candid shots, but it’s hard for us to get a group shot because people are dancing. But with a photo booth, we don’t have to worry about that anymore.
3. Table shots are the least favourite among photographers.
Going from table to table to interrupt your dinner and make you pose for a photo is the worst part of shooting a wedding. But you know, it should be done.
4. The wedding may be over, but they’re not done yet.
Being a Minneapolis Arab Wedding Photographer is a full-time job, and we work nearly every day of the week. When not actually shooting weddings, we’re editing photos, meeting with clients, creating photos, sending invoices, and marketing our business. And because it is a business, after all, we’re also dealing with the accounting end of things.
5. Pinterest is actually annoying for them.
Spoiler alert: It never looks like the perfect shot you saw on Pinterest! Pinterest is getting really annoying to wedding photographers, and they’re sick of trying to re-create what you saw there. Chances are, that was a once-in-a-lifetime shot or a freak of nature. That photographer got lucky because their groomsman happened to be an Olympic gymnast and could be flipped upside down, or something. Not going to happen at every wedding.
Dec
12
Wedding photography is just as (if not more) important than your wedding venue. It is the only element in your wedding that will create lasting mementos of your very special day. However, all too often, when you research wedding photography in the Web or first discuss this with a Colorado Arab Wedding Photographer, the terminologies—particularly the styles—can be baffling.
Here are some exclusive insights from Saiaf Films to enlighten us about the most popular wedding photography styles that are widely used by wedding photographer.
Black and White Photography
This non-colour photography style if typically used by photographers to create a classic, timeless effect. Black and white photography is great for enhancing the mood of an image or bringing particular interest with the use of light and composition. Truly timeless, black and white is a better choice for mixed or poor lighting conditions and it can be less distracting, making the happy couple the absolute focus of the shot.
Color Photography
It simply brings your photos to life and is, at its best, for vibrant spring and summer weddings with lots of natural light and bright colour schemes. Color brings an extra element to light and shape. If used correctly it can be a tool for isolating or bringing a particular subject into focus. Colour images can grab your attention, speaking volumes whether the colour on your wedding day is subtle or shouting, vibrant or saturated.
Reportage Photography
This is the most favourite photography style among bridal couples—natural-looking, non-posed photography that follows the day as it naturally unfolds. Reportage is the style more suited to couples who don’t like posing endlessly for the camera. Reportage allows the Female Arab Wedding Videographer to capture moments as they happen in a style that leaves the bride and groom to enjoy their day and still get amazing images and/or videos of their day.
Aged/Sepia-Toned Photography
A choice made popular by image apps like Instagram, this retro effect is added after your photographs have been taken, making them look old and timeless. This technique can be used to give a photo a vintage or styled look. And if used well, it can improve the look of out of focus elements in an image.
Photojournalistic Style
This quite resembles a bit with reportage photography as the photos taken in this style are non-posed and the Muslim Wedding Photographer aims for natural-looking photos. Telling the story of your unique day, these photographs capture the atmosphere and often focus on the emotion of the subject, as well as the finer details of your wedding. A good photograph will usually create a reaction of some kind when you look at it. Photojournalistic style aims to connect the photographer directly to the viewer, so it is important that a couple understands and appreciates that.
Formal/Traditional Photography
The most common type of wedding photography, your photographer will capture the key points of the day—like signing the register and cutting the cake—as well as taking staged/directed shots of you and your guests. And although wedding photography has changed so much over the year, formal photographs will always have their place. As well as being the best way to present the important guests in their best dress, it’s also a great opportunity to get lasting pictures of family and friends together.
Portraits
Portraits are close up or full length photos that focus on one person or the happy couple. These are usually the images that end up on the wall of a couple’s home. At a wedding, a brief portrait session is a chance for the bride and groom to escape the wedding party as their wedding photographer captures their first real moments of marriage.
All these styles may project different flairs and focus, but you can certainly ask Saiaf Films to use two or more photography styles to suit your preferences and add life to your wedding album.
Dec
10
Henna to Honeymoon: Meaningful Traditions in Middle Eastern Weddings
Arab Wedding / Hindu Wedding Photographer / Muslim Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Splendor, grandeur and beauty—these are the words that best describes traditional Middle Eastern weddings.
With centuries-old traditions, weddings in the Middle East follow customs from ancient civilizations. Wedding rituals and beliefs are passed on from one generation to another. Some will celebrate week-long of dinners and entertainment prior to the actual nuptials, while some celebrate after the wedding for seven days (yes, seven more days!). Here are some of the most notably meaningful traditions you are ought to come across in a Middle Eastern wedding.
Palestinian’s Henna
The henna party is the Arab version of the West’s bachelorette party. According to Saiaf Films, a Middle Eastern Wedding Photographer New Jersey, Henna usually takes place one to two weeks before the wedding night.
Even though Palestinian brides traditionally dress with hand-embroidered gowns known as a thawb, brides nowadays tend to have different themes for their henna nights. It could be Bollywood, Arabian nights or any other ethnic ambiance.
Female friends and relatives of the bride join her in the celebration, which includes food, drinks, dancing, and a woman in charge of drawing the henna—a temporary skin tattoo—on the bride and female guests. And with such beautiful occasion, there’s always a Middle Eastern Wedding Photographer Los Angeles around to document the entire celebration.
Iraq’s Qiran Union
The Qiran union is commonly known as the lawful or religious wedding. Like most Muslim countries, Iraq requires the bride and groom to get married through a religious representative known as the Maazoun.
The religious event is as important as the wedding night. During the ceremony, the groom joins hands with his future father-in-law to make the marriage official in the presence of two witnesses.
After the Qiran, the new couple gives out candy in special cups to family and friends to inform them of their union.
The Lebanese Zaffe
The zaffe is a cultural dance that takes place at weddings in Arab weddings, more specifically in Lebanese weddings.
In recent years, the zaffe has become a modern wedding tradition in Beirut, with a troop of dancers performing in anticipation of the couple’s entry. Definitely a beautiful, festive scene to capture by your Middle Eastern Wedding Videographer New York.
Weddings in Saudi Arabia are celebrated in two separate halls, one for males and the other for females. Thus, we suggest hiring a second Middle Eastern Female Wedding Photographer to help document the two separate events.
During such time, Saudi women don’t wear the traditional abaya (cloak) during a wedding night, but extravagant and distinctive dresses as they aren’t in company of men.
Weddings in Saudi are very luxurious and expensive, and each bride wants to make her night unique. During the wedding night, the bride and groom would only be seen together during the zaffe.
Egyptian Honeymoon
The honeymoon in Egypt differs from one part of the country to another. In the countryside, the newlyweds rarely travel for their honeymoon.
Instead, they stay home for the first seven days of their marriage, before receiving friends and family who bring gifts, food and other supplies.
In urban parts of Egypt, married couples commonly spend the first night of their wedding in the hotel where they celebrated their union, before travelling to resort areas such as the Red Sea or abroad.
Nov
26
5 Auspicious Wedding Beliefs and Traditions Around the World
Arab Wedding / Hindu Wedding Photographer / Indian Wedding Photographer / Muslim Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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You may want to incorporate these traditions into your own wedding day to increase your chances of a lifetime of love and happiness—because even the most loving couple can use a little bit of luck. And of course, don’t forget to invite your arab wedding photographer indiana to document all those meaningful traditions for the best memories of a lifetime.
1. A rainy wedding day is good luck for Indians
Indian weddings are colourful, joyous, and as lucky as the guests can make them. A little bit of luck may fall on every couple, but for Indian weddings, when it rains, it pours. Plus, rain or shine, guests throwing fragrant rose petals and other flowers at the betrothed is like wishing the newlywed couple the best of luck for their entire marriage.
2. Vietnamese brides are all about red
No white weddings here! The color red, which symbolizes good luck, is the color of choice for attire, and décor, at most Vietnamese weddings. Leaving nothing to chance, the groom’s family will even travel to the bride’s parental home, bearing wine, fruit, and cake, wrapped in red paper and presented on red platters.
3. Wedding date is determined by stars for Hindu couples
Before the wedding, an auspicious time, known as the muhurta, is fixed for the event. Using the bride and groom’s dates of birth, astrologists calculate the position of planets and stars to reflect the celestial union of the couple. During the ceremony, the gautra of both bride and groom (going back at least three generations) are announced. A gautra is the ancestral lineage or the ancestor’s original clan (this is not related to caste or religion). In Hindu law, marriages should not take place within the same clan.
4. Arab grooms pay for the bride’s hand
Arab bride and groom do not register their union in the marriage venues. They pass the ceremony in the face of Allah. This procedure is called nikah. As an arab wedding photographer Indiana, we’ve witnessed a lot of this tradition, which is considered by Arabs and Muslims the most important part of their weddings. During this time, the bride and groom is giving each other a vow of eternal love. At this time, the groom pays a bribe for the bride – a ransom, giving her a large amount of money, real estate, car or jewellery. Even in case of divorce, the gift stays with the girl.
5. Mexican brides keep a secret
Mexican wedding rituals tend to be deeply religious, and brides always wear white, but good wedding luck is ensured in a colorful, albeit hidden, way. Brides sew three ribbons into their lingerie for good luck, and wear them secretly on their wedding day. The ribbons are red, blue, and yellow, to represent passion, financial stability, and abundance of sustenance. No one sees the lucky ribbons, until the bride unveils them to her groom, when they are alone, after the ceremony has taken place.
Sep
20
How to Achieve Incredible Rainy Wedding Photos
Arab Wedding / Engagement Photoshoot / Gilbert Wedding Photographer / Indian Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Yes, you wouldn’t want to wish rain on your wedding day, but you have to be prepared with a backup plan in case that happens. However, for us here at Saiaf Films, we see it as an opportunity for some really unique and stunning images! Check out our tried-and-tested tips on how you can turn a gloomy day into stunning photo opportunities on your very special day.
1. Adjust your timeline
Holding off on your wedding portraits 30 minutes to even a few hours for a break in the rain can be well worth the wait! This could be a good time to try with your Afghani Wedding Photographer San Francisco some indoor photo magic while waiting for the rain to stop. Our pros here at Saiaf Films, will help you plan out your day and communicate with you leading up to the event if we see that rain is in the forecast, so we can adjust accordingly and ensure that you will still have amazing photos no matter the weather!
2. But don’t avoid the rain altogether
If the rain never lets up, or if you’re willing to take the risk of getting a little bit wet for some epic photos, plan a short session in the rain. We will take care of scouting the locations and setting up the shots. All you have to do is relax, stay dry, and look amazing!
3. Communicate with your pros
With a weather less than ideal like this, it is more critical to keep an open line with your Tucson Bengali Wedding Photographer. It’s important to ask any and all questions you may have so that your photographer can address your concerns. Your photographer may even be able to use flash to mimic the sun for a magical golden-hour look!
4. Feature the big clouds
Rains and storms often create an epic array of clouds and textures that give you and your Sedona Muslim Wedding Photographer the opportunity for truly unique imagery. Don’t let the gloomy vibe of a rainy wedding day get you down as your photographer will be there to turn a cloudy moment into a beautiful lasting memory!
5. Grab a stylish umbrella
This is a great time to grab a stylish umbrella to use as accessory to your photo. A white, black or clear umbrella can take your rainy photos to the next level, not to mention keep you dry during the outdoor shoot. Plus, umbrellas have the ability to reflect light in a unique and ethereal way.
Sep
19
Wedding Preparation Tips
Arab Wedding / Muslim Wedding Photographer / South Asian Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Our job as your Glendale Afghan Wedding Photographer is to capture the story of your wedding day as it unfolds. And this story begins not at the ceremony, but the moment you start getting ready for the day. So, here are a few tips we, here at Saiaf Films, always give our clients that will help your photographer get beautiful images of you as you prepare for the big day:
1. Keep your prepping rooms clean
Keep both the bride’s and the groom’s room clean, and have the room made by the hotel staff prior to the photo shoot time. This helps eliminate the possibility of having any obtrusive objects in the background or needing to take time away from our artistry to tidy up. Also, a freshly made bed allows us to use it for fun poses of you and your bridesmaids.
2. Have the details ready
Have all the details—such as the dress, rings, shoes, etc.—in one spot. Having all of these items together allows for the photographer to easily snap a shot of all of your important details in one place instead of having to gather the items from separate locations.
3. Get your hair and makeup done first
Brides first when it comes to doing the hair and makeup to avoid the risk of running late. This also allows for plenty of time for your Mesa Indian Wedding Photographer to capture more photos of you while waiting for everyone to get dolled up.
4. Have you immediate family around
This is also the time when your Gilbert Arab Wedding Photographer will snap some intimate pictures of you with your parents and your siblings. This is also a great time to have a “first look” between the bride and her mom and dad.
5. Give your pro plenty of time
Most likely, the Best Photographer in Arizona would say an hour is enough to capture the wedding prep, but adding another hour would be greatly appreciated and a lot better in guaranteeing that the bride’s and the groom’s preparation are well documented and photographed.
Sep
19
4 Tips to Improve Your Wedding Photographs
Arab Wedding / Chicago Muslim Wedding Photographer / South Asian Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Whether you are a Sedona Hindu Wedding Photographer or a soon-to-be-wed couple looking for ways to help your wedding photographer get great photos of your wedding, you can certainly do a lot to improve every click and shot of the camera. Having covered hundreds of weddings in Arizona and all over US, we’ve come up with a few tips to share to you on how you can improve the overall look and charm of your wedding photography.
1. Know when the sun sets
The best portrait light of the entire day is the hour before sunset. You need to carefully plan on what shots you will take at that time of the day, because before you know it, the sun have faded away. That last hour is what we call the golden hour as it makes everyone look healthy, glowing and gorgeous. It lets you capture those images where the light from the setting sun floods the subject and creates a dramatic look that’s almost impossible to recreate with artificial lighting or even with natural lighting from other time of the day.
2. Get shady for formals
We mean look for shady spots for formal shots. Is there a spot at your venue that has enough shade for a large group that’s easily accessible and near the reception location? This is essential. Make sure to ask your Tucson Indian Wedding Photographer about this, so he/she can look for a spot for your formal group shots. Most venues have something like this, but if they don’t, consider if you’re going to want the hassle of not having a great place to shoot a large group in good lighting.
3. Have a good indoor portrait lighting
When looking at a venue’s indoor shooting spots, look for large windows that do not have direct sun shining through them. Make sure there’s at least one window in your getting ready area, and that the makeup artists don’t set up in front of it. Also, the larger the window, the softer the light and the shadows will be, which is what you need for shooting portraits.
4. Secure great artificial lights for reception venue
Your Payson Wedding Photographer may have their own way of shooting receptions, but one technique we find great and have given us great images is using the on-camera flash to bounce the light. Bouncing flash means pointing the camera flash at a flat, neutrally colored surface nearby the subject, so the light that bounces off the surface will illuminate the scene. It creates softer, more portrait-friendly lighting instead of a harsh, direct flash.
Sep
08
10 Photos Every Wedding Album Needs
Arab Wedding / Hindu Wedding Photographer / Palestinian Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Sometimes the biggest dilemma newlyweds face is narrowing down the 1000+ wedding images taken by their Mexican Wedding Photographer Arizona to just a few for their wedding album. To get you started selecting, here are 10 of the must-include pictures in your wedding album.
1. The bridal dress. Of course you need a picture of your dress! There will be lots of you wearing a long gown, but you want a special solo, full-length portrait of you wearing your wedding dress. Another option is to take a “still life” image of the dress on a hanger, especially if there is a perfect setting for it.
2. Shoes. You probably spent hours finding the perfect pair, and they won’t get as much attention as the dress! Ask your Indian Wedding Photographer Scottsdale to take a shot of them on or off your feet. A photo of both pairs (hers and his) can be charming, too.
3. The First Look. You might want to skip this one if you want to stick to the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. But if your Sikh Wedding Photographer Scottsdale has a chance to capture your reactions upon first seeing each other privately, it’ll be a precious and meaningful keepsake to include in your wedding album.
4. The walk down the aisle. The processional is a significant moment, of course, no matter who is accompanying you. And you’ll want to capture your walk back up the aisle as newlyweds, too.
5. Family. Even the Best Wedding Photographer Phoenix will ask for a list of the key people in the wedding, so make sure to provide your photographer with one. You probably want more faces of your immediate family than faces of 3rd degree cousins, don’t you? So, make sure to let your photographer know who they are, so you have a myriad to choose from for your wedding album. It’ll be great to have them all in one photo, too.
6. The exchange of rings. Another not-to-be-missed classic.
7. Your first kiss as husband and wife. Do we need to say more?
8. The entire wedding party. Whether formal or candid or some of each, get pictures of yourselves with all of your wedding party. After all, they are your dearest people. And you probably agonized over what they should wear for the wedding, so you should have a keepsake of that, too!
9. The First dance. If dancing is part of your wedding day, be sure to capture this classic moment.
10. Couple’s departure. Those who have planned a dramatic exit will certainly want a photo to remember it by.
Aug
25
Wedding planning is one hectic affair. It can cost you sleepless nights and can even turn you into a dreaded bridezilla. Simply planning an arrangement is not enough. You have to ensure that it remains on the right track throughout the planning stage. And, to make this possible, creating a checklist is your best bet.
So, take a look at the checklist below, which can help ensure that you are on time and everything is on track.
12 to 9 Months
• The wedding date. This is the most important point to consider before you start the planning procedure. Which season do you prefer? Are you planning to consult a panchang for deciding the date?
• The budget. It is so easy to go overboard with your finances; therefore, making strict decisions from the start really helps. From the haldi and mehendi to your Los Angeles Muslim Wedding Photographer and videographer, decide how much you are willing to spend on every expense you have to make for your wedding.
9 to 6 Months
• The guest list. It is time to prepare a guest list exclusive to each event. It will help you manage your catering budget easily. Also, the head count will benefit you while deciding on a venue.
• The venue. Finalizing the venue is the next big step. This list will help you in deciding on the size and space of the venue. You definitely don’t want to cramp up your wedding party in a tiny space, right?
6 to 3 months
• Start shopping. Shopping done in a tight schedule will not allow you to explore much. You can get the gifts (for guests), your clothes, shoes and other accessories customised during this time period.
• Invitations. Start working on your wedding invitations. Finalize the design and the information to include. Print them all out once done.
• Book vendors. It is also the right time to book a Las Vegas Arab Wedding Videographer and a Las Vegas Arab Wedding Photographer for your wedding, as well as the florist, the caterer, the DJ and all other vendors. Make sure not to delay these bookings beyond this point. Otherwise, you will face a tough time looking for them at the last moment.
• Pamper time. Use this phase for your grooming. Salons these days provide pre-bridal packages starting as early as six months.
3 months to your wedding day
• Send out invitations. Now that your invitations are all printed out and ready, it’s time to send them out to your guests.
• Double check bookings. Call each of your vendors at least a month prior the wedding to check about your arrangements with them and whether your orders are in place. Also, repeat this drill a week prior to the wedding.
• Pre-bridal parlor. The last week should be focused on your pre-bridal parlour sittings, so that you look your best on your wedding day.
Aug
23
4 Tips for Taking Beautiful Wedding Photos With Your Smartphone
Arab Wedding / Hindu Wedding Photographer / Indian Wedding Photographer / Muslim Wedding Photographer Posted by Saiaf Films
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Some brides allow social media on their wedding, others don’t. But if you take the former, make sure to do it right, and ensure you look gleamingly beautiful with your bridesmaids as you strike the pose. And after all, whether you like it or not, everyone in your wedding will be snapping photos of you on their phones. So, better yet share these pro-approved tips from photographers at Saiaf Films to make sure your social media photos look the best they can be.
Get the Right Lighting
If you want to take a picture on non-DSLR cameras, it’s important to get your lighting right. This is one of the top advices from a San Francisco Muslim Wedding Videographer—to use plenty of natural lighting, if you don’t have access to studio lights, when taking photos with your phone. Before taking a picture, think about your light source and where it will come from. Natural lighting will always produce a better shot.
Make Use of Your Phone’s Built-In Settings
Even the most experienced Buffalo Arab Wedding Photographer would say that any smartphone’s camera setting is enough to create quality photos, as long as you know how to take advantage of its full potential. Even though you have the eye for great angles, your device’s built-in settings can do wonders for your photos. While your phone has default ‘auto’ mode, don’t be afraid to experiment with different modes, and try it out in portrait, landscape and ISO setting, too.
Composition Matters a Lot
Notice how those photos shot by a professional look like. It seems like every element of the picture meshes well together and creates a harmonious and appealing look. It is the frame and set up of the picture that makes all the difference between an attractive photograph and something that looks chaotic. Make use of your phone’s grid setting, which lets you do the “rule of thirds” technique. Most phones have this feature pre-installed, which you can conveniently turn on and off when taking a photo.
Use Different Apps
Experiment with different photography application to give your photos the perfect finish – you can add filters, tweak colors and play around with the sharpness and temperature to add dimension and flair to the images you take.
Smartphone-taken photos are great addition to your wedding photography. However, it cannot replace the photos taken by a professional wedding photographer. Your selfies and groufies are great for #ATM uploads, but it cannot replace the moments captured by your Orlando Arab Wedding Photographer.
