Photography by Petti Anastasi

Congratulations to Scott & Karah. They were married amongst the trees at Buttai Barn NSW on 12th June 2010. A winter wedding in the cool breeze amongst the rustic location of old barns and a horse drawn carriage….The setting gave me the opportunity to give Scott & Karah a photographic portfolio with a hint of antique and farmyard charm….Scott & Karah it was an absolute pleasure for me to spend the day photographing you both. Thank you also to Rowanne from Envision Event Planning for all her hard work for making their wedding run like clockwork…..Everyone should have a “Rowanne” at their wedding!!!

Happily married!

Every bride wants to look glamorous in her wedding photographs. A professional photogarpher knows how to place you to look your best and what sort of poses are more appealing!! But what gives brides that flawless look….well….Makeup!!!

Always have your wedding makeup applied heavier than what you would normally wear. The camera needs heavier makeup to be able to pick up definition of the cheeks and eyes. Your lips also need to have colour on them……the nude lips look which is popular only works in the right lighting situations. Weddings are bsutling events which happen in all different lighting so having makeup on and colour is always going to bring out the best in you.

Here is Kristy on the morning of her wedding….Kristy’s make-up was heavy and striking and the camera loved her. Kristy & Dan were married at Treachery in Seals Rocks in a beautiful ceremony out amongst the cabins at Treachery….

After 10 year’s in the business of photography and 450+ wedding’s later I (Petti Anastasi) know which images become couple’s favourite’s…..they are always the one’s which I shoot when the couple are taking no notice…..It is like I steal a moment out of the day!!! Really I like to think of my images as many moments from the day creating a story which lasts a lifetime!!

It is important for me to get to know my client’s before the wedding day….If the bride and groom are relaxed with me then their wedding images will show more intimacy and emotion. I always am prepared for the unexpected as that is when the couple let their guard down and that’s when I start shooting!!!!

5 Thing’s Petti Anastasi say’s you should remember on your wedding day to help create candid images:

• Always have a smile on your face ( even a half smile ). Be aware that you are being followed all day by a photogarpher and you can be captured at any moment.
• Allow yourself to forget that their is a photographer snapping away ( but like Petti say’s be aware!)
• Relax into your location shoot and go with the flow so to speak….do what come’s naturally to you.
• Interact with your partner and don’t be shy to show your feelings.
• Don’t always look at the photographer…..the best wedding images are always when the couple are looking away from the lense!

Selecting a photographer can be a daunting task. So many couple’s are confused as to whether to go with a big photographic studio with multiple photographers or whether to seek a professional photographer who works for themselves. Couples ask “what is the difference”….

Well - there are pro’s and con’s for both sides…..big photographic studio’s can offer you a photographer at short notice due to the amount of photographers they have on their books but you are taking a gamble as to what your wedding photographs will look like as it depends on the photographer who turns up on the day.  Some studio’s show you alot of great work from various photographers, but they will not guaruntee you will get the photographer whose work you like best.

A wedding photgrapher who works for themselves is more flexible with what they can offer you…..also, when you visit to view their work you know you are looking at wedding photographs they personally took not a collection which was taken for the studio.

It all depends on what you want from your wedding photographs. Big wedding studio’s also have high expenses and they struggle to offer wedding photography to couple’s who have a budget to stick to…….that’s where a professional who works of their own may suit you better.

At the end of the day the most important thing to remember is that most good wedding photographers and wedding studio’s will provide you with a stunning wedding photographs. Ask yourself is it important for me to know my photographer and deal with them personally. Do you as a couple want a photographer with a more intimate approach to your wedding day? Do I like that particular photographer’s work…..am I viewing  wedding photographs they have taken? A wedding photographer who works for themselves has a reputation to uphold and has to be consistent with their work so they will usually offer you a more personlised service and will always work a little harder to make sure that your wedding photographs will be glamorous!

One last thing…..As a working professional photographer, Newcastle photographer Petti Anastasi has a little tip!!…..” always look for a professional who is part of an industry group….Being part of the Australian Institute of Professoinal Photography ( AIPP )  assures you as the customer that you are dealing with a proffesional studio and with a photographer whose ethics and standards are watched…..”

Every couple wants to have great photographs on their wedding day. To accomplish this it is important that you run on time!!!!!

To achieve great wedding photographs Newcastle photographer Petti Anastasi says…” time has to be on our side…to work out the best lighting in the current location and establish what shots will be done at that particular time, as well as leaving enough time to capture all the formalities as well as the more relaxed images”

To help with your planning remember:

• Make sure you leave ample time for hair and make-up to be done. If your hairdresser or make-up artist is not given enough time this affects the whole day. Petti Anastasi say’s……..”When your photographer arrives your hair and makeup must be finished….especially the brides!”
• Allow 20 minutes for getting into your dress….especially if it has a lace up back or tons of buttons!!!
• Have an itinerary of how the day will proceed….and stick to it!!
• Allow 15 - 20 minutes for formal family photographs.
• Keep in mind that travel time must be incorporated into how long your location shoot will go for. It is wise to use locations within close proximity of your Ceremony and Reception. 

Stick to the above guidelines and your photographer will have a better chance of getting plenty of images!!!

Photography By Petti

Make the most of your wedding photographer

This is a day that will never be repeated, so you need someone who can capture the best moments without cutting anyone’s head off or giving you ‘red eye’. It’s important to have a true professional photographer.

Relationships matter

Whoever you book to take your wedding photographs will be spending a substantial amount of time with you on the best day of your lives, so you must get on with him or her. ‘You should feel confident and relaxed in their presence. Even if they are the best photographer in the world, if you don’t feel comfortable it will be reflected in the final images.

Check the small print

Once you’ve found the perfect photographer, get your booking in writing. Check the small print and make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Always receive quote’s in writing and discuss all options and upgrades prior to the day. This will limit any hidden costs or surprises after the wedding!  

Decide what they should do

A good professional photographer will use his or her creative and technical skills to get the best results as quickly, smoothly and tactfully as possible, but discuss the role you want your photographer to take on your wedding day. Do you want him or her to control events or blend into the background? 

Know your budget

If your wedding photographs matter to you, skimping may not pay. ‘People often make the mistake of thinking that all photographers are the same, but the photographic quality and style can vary enormously. Petti Anastasi knows wedding photography is one area where you really do get what you pay for. ” I often hear where couple’s after the wedding say they were disappointed with their wedding portfolio and 9 times out of 10 it is because they went for the cheapest option.”

Details, Details, Details

You have spent a long time and gone to a great expense finding the right dress, creating the right look, designing the invitations, decorating, flower arrangements, applying the right look, etc, you’ll want these little details captured too. A good photographer will make a point of making sure they have captured as much as possible.

Finally, the best advice any couple can take is try and relax in front of the camera. If you’re not used to smiling and posing, grab a mirror and spend a few minutes practising until you find a smile or an expression you can live with. If you look and feel comfortable, your photos are bound to be awesome!