In the first of our pre-wedding shoot feature series, Nicole and Nigel share the highlights and tips from their wedding shoot experience!
The couple who’s looking to tie the knot this November, opted for a non-traditional wedding shoot, taking both casual and moody shots.
Please tell us about your inspiration behind your wedding shoot idea. How did you decide on your wedding shoot concept and location?
Nicole: Our main inspiration came from our personalities and relationship. We wanted our shoot to reflect us; and for it to be something casual rather than grandiose.
We hope that when our family and friends see the set of photos, they would feel a sense of familiarity.
Nigel: We always knew we wanted an outdoor overseas shoot, except that we hadn’t settled on any location – till Nicole chanced upon Androidsinboots’s promotional shoot to New Zealand.
A road trip with the team sounded like heaps of fun to us so we took it up!
Images by: Androids in Boots
Nicole: We met up with Felicia Quah of Androidsinboots and told her the type of colour edits we wanted for our photos.
We also told her that we wanted the shoot to be mostly natural and candid, alongside some chic shots that would complement the vibes of my full white pant suit I planned to wear in place of a traditional wedding dress.
Since the theme of our shoot is “us”, we included a set of photos to be taken indoors to capture us doing things that we get up to as a couple at home; with shots of us eating, talking in bed etc.
Felicia really understood what we wanted. She made the effort to know our personalities before proceeding to plan out our shoot and we coordinated our outfits together with the places she had in mind.
Nicole: The most memorable part has to be our first day of the shoot at The Shed and Breakfast, which is an Airbnb farm stay.
Aside from it being our first ever farm stay experience, it was also where Nigel proposed to me against the backdrop of the most beautiful sunset we’ve seen.
Nigel: Our shoot at Blue Pools was definitely a challenge for us.
Jumping and running into the water at negative 12 degrees Celsius coupled with the wind chill was not a joke, especially when we were in our swim wear.
We had to climb and crawl up on the rocks too, but we found it fun as it transported us back to our teenage days!
The trip was a very memorable and fun experience! There were many firsts for us and we saw amazing views everywhere we went.
An added bonus was how well we hit it off with our photographers. It felt like we were travelling with friends.
1) Settle on the style and look you’re going for
We wanted a balance between candid, natural shots and darker, heavily contrasted and chic shots – shots that didn’t strictly keep to the traditional look of wedding photography.
We also wanted our shoot to be captured in both photography and videography, which isn’t something every company provides.
Androidsinboots happened to meet our criteria and everything lined up perfectly.
2) Do your homework
Nicole: Prior to our wedding plans, I had already been following a few wedding photographers via Instagram for years due to my personal interest in wedding photography.
Through their social media accounts, you’re able to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes and what kind of personality the team embodies. Thus, when the time came, it was easy for me to make the decision as to which company to go for.
Also, always, always set up a meeting with the photographer prior to signing the contract to see if you are on the same frequency.
It’s so important that you feel comfortable with the photographer as this means you will be more natural and comfortable in front of the lens.
Nicole: Since ours was an outdoor shoot, I kept my look natural and didn’t hire any makeup artist. I did my own basic makeup and this saved us quite a bit – allowing us to splurge on things I felt mattered more, like photography.
Instead of opting for heavy eye makeup and risking smudges, I went for a bold lip look to brighten up my face.
Everything else was kept minimal, including my hair – which I let down and sprayed over with a little hair spray. When it got windy, I used 1 to 2 bobby pins to keep it in place.
Make sure to also dress comfortably if you’re having an outdoor shoot.
Shoot timings and weather conditions can be unpredictable and there’s likely to be hiccups, so the only thing you’re in control of is your mood.
I chose outfits I felt comfortable and could be myself in, and this helped keep my mood up. There’s also lesser things to fret over.
Leave the heavy makeup and hair accessories for your studio shoot or actual wedding day!