10 Things to know before your Singapore Pre-Wedding Shoot
For many couples, a pre-wedding shoot is one of the few times in their lives when they get to be formally and professionally photographed. As such, it may seem daunting or stressful going into the shoot itself. Fret not! Pre-wedding shoots are generally a lighthearted and fun affair (or at least they should be). Here are 10 tips from my perspective as a photographer to help make your shoot a seamless and enjoyable one :)
1: Research goes a long way
The importance of research cannot be understated, but the good news is, if you’re reading this article, you’re already on the right track. Looking up pre-wedding style photographs or couples’ portraits online can give you a sense of what you like or dislike, as well as the general style you’re going for. I would also encourage looking at a broad range of photographers to get a sense of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their photographic philosophy and methodology. Are they more traditional? Experimental? How do they edit their photos? What type of photography do they specialise in? These are some questions you can consider when choosing your photographer. Of course, a big part of research is determining the time of day that you would like the shoot to be carried out, as well as the location of the shoot. Which brings me to my next point…
2: Location, location, location
The look and feel of any image is greatly affected by the environment in which the image was taken. Something to consider is that the time of day greatly affects the look of the environment as well. For instance, Haji Lane in the morning would give off a different vibe compared to Haji Lane at sunset and Haji Lane at night. If you’re unsure of where you’d like to go, most photographers have a list of go-to location suggestions that you can consider. Another thing most places don’t tell you is that many of the popular indoor locations in Singapore require you to pay a fee if you’d like to conduct your pre-wedding shoot there. Some examples include, The National Gallery, National Museum, and the indoor installations at Gardens By The Bay, such as the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest as well as Floral Fantasy and Supertree Observatory. One last thing about picking a location is considering your tolerance for crowds. Shooting at crowded locations, especially ones popular with tourists, may hinder the shoot process. So pick your location and time wisely.
3: Planning and preparation
Logistics, travel, outfits, and extra parties involved are but some of the things you may need to account for prior to the shoot. You may want to discuss with your photographer travel arrangements and costs, outfit coordination, as well as whether you are bringing along a friend, a family member, or even a pet to the shoot. It’s not the most glamorous part of a pre-wedding shoot, but planning is a critical (and often overlooked) part of the shoot process.
4: The posing problem
I often receive questions from couples pertaining to posing. They often ask, 'How do I pose? Will the photographer guide us during the shoot? What if I have posing ideas in mind?' Typically, I advise the couple to look up a few poses to see which ones resonate with them. I will also provide direction on the day itself, based on the general energy of the couple and the look and feel we're working towards. Moreover, I wholeheartedly welcome posing ideas from the couple themselves. The best poses are those where the couple feels most natural and at ease, and often these are poses they've workshopped beforehand or suggested on the day itself. Being adaptive and leaning into the natural energy of each couple is what creates a distinctive look for each shoot. Plus, I believe it's better to have the couple focused on each other, feeling at ease, and having fun rather than trying to force a premeditated pose."
5: The day before
A small tip, but getting a good night’s sleep, eating before the shoot and taking care of yourself prior to the shoot is important as well. Pre-wedding shoots are often multiple hours long and require lots of walking around, posing, sometimes under the hot sun. As such, it’s essential that you are well-rested and well-fed prior to the shoot so that you have the energy needed to tackle the day.
6: Things to bring
On a similar note, here are some things I advise my couples to bring:
Water - Preferably lots of it. Staying hydrated helps to beat the heat and keeps you feeling good throughout the shoot.
Umbrellas - Useful for both rain and shine
Snacks - If they anticipate feeling hungry during the shoot
Portable Fan - This is a popular one, especially in sunny Singapore
Spare change of clothes - In case they wish to change afterwards
7: Keeping things light
One thing I encourage my couples to do at the start of every shoot is to focus on each other. Some of the best photos I’ve taken have been when the couple forgets that there is a camera pointed at them. I love having a relaxed, lighthearted vibe during my shoots, and I do my best to craft an atmosphere that is conducive to making great photographs. Try to go into the shoot with an open and positive attitude, trust me it’ll make the process so much more fun :)
8: Ideas, experiments and failure
Now, with keeping things light in mind, I also love experimenting with different ideas and concepts during my shoots and I encourage my couple to do the same. I love it when they share an idea that pops up during the shoot. Sometimes the idea may not work out as well as intended (my ideas definitely don’t work 100% of the time either), but that's okay. It’s all part of the process of trying things out and collaborating on a work of art together. Going back to point 7, having a good lighthearted atmosphere makes it so much easier to bring up ideas and things you may want to experiment with. So communicate with your photographer and don’t be afraid to bring up any ideas you may have to them.
9: Communicating with your photographer
Probably one of the most important tips on this list, communicating with your photographer will not only improve your experience but also make the photographer’s job easier as well. Most photographers strive to have a good understanding of your likes and dislikes, as well as what you want and need. Having a good relationship and open communication with your photographer will make the shoot enjoyable and easy for everyone.
10: Following through
Last but not least, after the shoot it’s important to note that editing takes time and can vary based on the scope of the shoot, as well as how busy the photographer/studio you engaged is. If you would like an update or estimated timeline for delivery of the photos, you may reach out to your photographer. Also don’t forget to tag your photographer on social media or leave a review. Speaking as a photographer, little things like that mean so very much to us.
Best of luck on your shoot!
