11 dramatic and stunning fashion forward wedding pics taken in Iceland, Kyoto and Paris

From majestic monuments to serene lakes and snow-capped mountains, here are 4 things to know about overseas wedding shoots from Joe Teng of Acapella Photography.

By Felicia Tan - 9 Jun 2016

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All photos: Acapella Photography

Which are your favourite countries for overseas wedding portraits and why?

I love places like Iceland, Norway and New Zealand for their beautiful mountainous scenery and vast landscapes. There, you can enjoy the photoshoot without worrying about having tourists or other people around interfering with the shoot. Plus, I find that my couples seem more relaxed when surrounded by the beauty of nature, as compared to shooting in the bigger cities.

That said, I also enjoy cities like Budapest, Paris, Venice or Vienna, Edinburgh and so on, for their historic buildings and monuments. Perfect for couples seeking something more fashion-forward, artistic, or with a tinge of dramatic flair.

Besides iconic places, how do you know where else to shoot at the destination?

I do my research by trawling through the Internet, buying travel books and asking fellow photographers for their recommendations. It’s important to get a look and feel of the place you want to shoot beforehand, so you can get the most out of it. For me, I usually look out for all the iconic places in the city, and check surrounding places for smaller, interesting locations that are also less touristy and has lesser people.

So what do you focus on when shooting bridal portraits overseas?

Definitely the location. But I also make sure that the couple in question are comfortable to visit the place as well. For me, I’d let them know in advance, or during the discussion, so they know where they’re headed to. This is really important. I am always in contact with my couples before and during the shoot to build good rapport with them. When you do so, I find that they are usually more comfortable with you around and are more confident during the shoot. I always assure them the photo will be good, and I usually show them the shots taken in between snaps, and ask for their opinion to see if they’re happy with the results. That said, you should also be confident with your work. To help them pose more naturally, I will try to build up the mood for them during the shoot by telling them how to pose and what I need.

Three things couples should know about overseas shoots - good and bad

1. Couples should know what they want.

They should identify and pick the styles they prefer. There are many photographers in the market – so hone in on a few they’re interested in, and look thoroughly at their portfolio – whether on their site or Facebook. I don’t usually recommend looking at Instagram, as the pictures are usually too small to see if it’s of good quality or not. When they’ve shortlisted a few, they should then visit the photographers to understand their work processes better, and if there is chemistry.

My tip? Don’t be lazy. Looking at portfolios online only isn’t enough – there are some photographers who will only put their best images online (naturally), so sometimes you never know if the work is really good, or it’s just a select few that they’re good at.

2. Budget

Good things don’t come cheap. It's the same for quality work. A lot of couples look at the surface of the pricing given by photographer, but they don’t take into account other expenses like car rental, insurance, ticketing, accommodation, travelling, make up artist and so on.

There have been times where I’ve seen photographers prefer to offer photography packages alone instead of including accommodation and makeup artist fees, to make it look attractive. But that may cost more for the couple, and it might be inconvenient for them to source for the other elements themselves.

3. Weather and season

Some couples may not keep this into consideration, but it’s an important factor. They’ll have to know when’s a good time to head to their preferred destination, the climate, whether it’s a rainy season, or if it’s too hot. Some aren’t able to take extreme weathers, which may inevitably ruin the shoot. Timing is also very important. Most photographers will avoid shooting between the late morning and noon, as it’s too hot. The light and shadows cast also aren’t ideal. Prepare by checking up on the weather conditions and forecast before booking the date with the photographer.

Expert source: Joe Teng, Acapella Photography, http://www.acapella.sg/.

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography

Dramatic & overseas! 11 stunning fashion-forward wedding photos taken from all over the world

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Photo: Acapella Photography