General Tips &  Information    

Frequently asked questions and informative articles will be added on a regular basis.

"Can we do our formal shots (altar shots) before the ceremony?"  Certainly! Actually, I think this is a smart choice.  This allows everyone to get the photos done while they look/feel fresh and allows for a quicker departure for the reception.  It will also give you some cushion against those members of the wedding party who tend to be late arrivals.  I especially enjoy setting up and capturing the exact moment that the groom gets his first look at his bride in her wedding gown.

"What is Private Time?"   A recent trend (especially on the West Coast) is to schedule some "alone time" for just the bride & groom prior to the ceremony. This would be the opportunity to set-up the shot mentioned above which captures that first look between the bride and groom. Typically the photographer (and possibly the videographer) are the only ones on location, but you might want to include some of the bridal party members and/or close family.  This time can be very special and can provide for more relaxed, spontaneous expressions rather than seeing each other in front of the altar under the watchful eyes of hundreds of onlookers and the clergy just over your shoulder.

"Can we skip the formal shots completely?"  Sure,....it's your wedding!  If you'd like, I can arrange to shoot the bridal party and family at a local park or at the reception site. Or, in the true spirit of photojournalism, I can shoot the key people by way of candids. The main thing is for the bride/groom to enjoy the day.  Having a photographer you can trust, who is fun and flexible will add to the day's celebration.

"Is a second photographer available?"  Yes, for an additional fee.  This is also recommended for larger weddings.

"How many photographs will you take at my wedding?"  Each wedding will vary depending on the size of the bridal party, family, and the number of guests at the reception.....typically from 500-800 images.

"Can my entire wedding album be printed in black & white?"  Yes, also a mix of color and B & W or all color.

"Do you take table shots of all my guests?"  Generally no.....most guest are covered via candids during the reception or when included, at the backdrop.  Special group shots can be taken at a table or elsewhere at the reception site.

"Do you object to family & friends taking photographs?"   No, not at all.  Since the bride/groom receive all their negatives and I typically do not try to sell reprints to your family & friends, I don't mind them at all....I frequently will offer to take a photo using aunt Martha's camera to enable her  to be included in the photo.

"Can my photos be posted on the internet?"  Yes.  Beginning October 1, 2005 D'Wesley Portraits will offer free internet viewing of your images. This will allow out-of-town guests and relatives the ability to see your wedding photographs 24/7 from the convienence of their computer. Images are also available for purchase along with photo gifts such as T-shirts, mouse pads, coffee mugs, and my personal favorite, a 6"x6" ceramic tile. The website also allows you to preview and custom crop your prints and gift items. The galleries can also be password restricted to insure privacy upon request. To preview this feature simply click the link on the home page or weddings page of the website or click here.

"How soon can I expect to receive my prints and album?"  Generally the prints, negatives, and archival CDs are available within two weeks.  Albums can be completed within two-three months.

"Can you travel outside the Chicago land area?"  Yes,.... I'm looking forward to covering my first "Napa Valley" or "Bahamas" wedding.

(article originally published in "Day Of"  by Dreamweavers of Bolingbrook)

Hopefully your wedding photos will last longer than a lifetime and will be passed from generation to generation throughout the years. To look your best in the photos consider these tips:

Be well rested - get plenty of rest the night before and avoid the late night bachelorette party.

Consider hiring a professional for you and your bridesmaids. A good professional makeup artist already knows the secrets to looking your best and can coordinate the color palette. This will create a more consistent look to your party and may help to compensate for any "makeup-challenged" members of the wedding party.

Use waterproof eye makeup. Tears can and do happen (avoid the "Elvira-look").

Translucent powder will help you to avoid a shine from the photographer’s lights and camera flash.

Consider one shade darker (or one shade lighter for women of color) on your lipstick and blush.

Emphasize your eyes or lips. Decide which is your best feature and bring that feature out more. Strong makeup in both areas will create a flat and artificial look.

Avoid any "trendy" makeup or hair styles. Remember these images will pass from generation to generation; classic styles always outlast the trends.

Avoid any new products, although most makeup products are hypoallergenic occasional skin reactions can occur, don't try anything new on the day-of.

Avoid Glitter.  Glitter will reflect and magnify the light in a way that is unflattering and distracting in a photograph. It also tends to rub-off onto clothing and will accumulate on the guys black  tuxedos.

Plan to have your bridal portraits taken early in the day or evening while you still look your absolute best. If your photographer is bringing a backdrop to the reception, encourage the entire wedding party to get their portraits taken as early as possible. Be sure to discuss any special concerns you have with your photographer before you actually hire that photographer. A good photographer can compensate for blemishes with different lighting configurations and many problems can be addressed afterwards using digital techniques (see the Digital Studio page).  Finally, relax and have fun, this is your day!

david@dwesleyportraits.com