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The Old Mill Wedding Photography

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

 

Wedding photography at The Old Mil Aldermaston

The Old Mill is an unique venue in Aldermaston not too far away from Reading. The venue was a flour mill till the late 1920s, Since 1933 it has been privately run with in house catering. The venue specialise in weddings and all kinds of functions and events. 

Before Elena and Andrew’s wedding I wasn’t aware of The Old Mill, then I had the opportunities for a quick visit and guided tour just a week before the wedding. I had all kinds of ideas in my mind and really can’t wait to photograph their wedding. 

The day starts with Elena’s preparation with 2 bridesmaids at a hotel near by, then Andrew is getting ready with grooms men in their home. One thing I can say about Elena and Andrew’s wedding is the fact that they tailored and bespoke everything. Which you can see from the images and I also used in my album design for them. I encountered some of the “first” in my career as wedding photographer. Especially the fireworks display photography. 

 

 

The Making of the firework photographs for weddings. 

I think we can all agree that every moment of the wedding is precious, in that respect, photography could be the only way to captures those moments and making them last forever; especially for something like firework display. Arguably, there is nothing more impressive and exciting than firework display. We can all agrees that firework display is something thats really special. Countries all over the world put on some of the biggest firework display to mark the beginning of the new year. 

Fireworks is one of the most difficult subject to photograph, especially when there is people involved in the making of the images. The vast contrast of the brightness of the firework and the darkness of the sky, in addition, the always changing formation of the patterns and shapes. Its technical challenging but creatively exciting. thou, the reward can be extremely satisfying.  

 

Set up for photographing firework display at wedding with wedding couple.

On this occasion, its not just the firework I am photographing, I have Elena and Andrew in the foreground as well. Therefore, in order to balance out the lighting I decided to place them just next the the river where I will have a good view of the firework and them altogether in the same frame. I use my portable flash on a battery pack to produce as much light as I needed for the shot. 

Result of the firework wedding image.

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

 

Oakley Court Wedding Photographer

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

 

Oakley Court wedding

I had been looking forward to Yasmine and Roberts’ wedding day since we met at a wedding fair in Crowne Plaza Reading. Yasmine was determined for me to be her wedding photographer after seeing my work portfolio. . To be fair, I too was very keen to be their photographer after she told me what they were planning for their wedding day. 

Their enthusiasm and energy was so contagious that I couldn’t  help but be excited for them and I just knew it would  be a fantastic day. Especially as it was at a venue as prestigious as Oakley Court, situated in the royal town of Windsor and adjacent to the river Thames. Oakley Court is a venue I have known for a few years now, and I have always wanted to photograph a wedding there. The sense of historical grandeur and opennesssets it apart from other wedding venues.

The wedding ceremony was at St. Peter’s Church, it was the church that  Robert’s family felt more connected with at the time. When we were done at the church we took a boat cruising towards Oakley Court. People were gathered at the jetty to welcome the newlywedswhen we arrived. Definitely one of the most special moments I have photographed at a wedding. 

 It was a privilege for me to photograph their wedding and I am very pleased to hear that they are  totally loved their bespoke designed wedding album.

 

Kind words from Yasmine and Robert

My now wife and I came across Jack at a wedding fair. We were instantly wowed by his work and character and knew that we had found our photographer. Numerous meetings and briefings later (all worth it) Jack and Ollie photographed our day and albeit over 4 months ago now, the pictures take us back instantly. Jack is a complete professional. He was even able to get fantastic photographs of our dog and of my wife’s younger siblings (all of whom never sit still)!

Ollie is also brilliant, when Jack came to photograph the men getting ready he was left behind with the bridal party (a very brave man). 

We would have no hesitation in recommending Lux Vita for any photography and will definitely use Jack again.

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

Bearwood Lake Wedding Photography

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

 

Wedding photography at Bearwood Lake and Wokingham town hall. 

I met Sophie and Scott at a wedding fair in a golf club and we had a really nice chat about their wedding. Few days later, I got email from Scott for potentially booking me as their wedding photographer as they are impressed with my work they have seen at the fair. I then invited them to my studio and showed them more of my works. 

I was so pleased that they decided to go with the Mayfair Package, which is the most complete package I offer. This means they will have an all day photography with 2 photographers, a 16 x 12 large bespoke designed album, a beautiful USB, Thank you cards and mini books. 

The day starts with preparation at hotels then hop on to the vintage camper van to Wokingham Town Hall where Sophie and Scott had one of the most emotional and beautiful ceremony I have ever photographed. After the ceremony, we arrived at the beautiful Bearwood Lake. As a rule, I visited the venue before and already have a clear strategies on how I could like to photograph Sophie and Scott’s wedding. 

I believe the images tells a thousand words, the stunning location provided the perfect backdrop for their wedding. 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

Rivervale Barn wedding

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

 

Rivervale Barn wedding

The first time I visited Rivervale. It was for Michelle and Teck’s wedding, and I can only describe it as utterly stunning. I was accompanied by the organizer for a walk around the venue and was told that the venue was purposely built for weddings with its wide aisles between the tables, the spacious ceremony room and the amazing, beautiful landscaped garden completed with a pond and a red Japanese bridge.  

Great venue aside, it is the wedding couple that makes an amazing wedding. For me, this was a very special one; it was  my first time witnessing a wedding mix of the Chinese wedding tradition and the western ceremony to seal the marriage in formality. You would be right to imagine it was a jam packed wedding with back to back activities. Besides,  , I always welcome an opportunity to photograph something a bit different. 

The wedding started with Michelle getting ready with bridesmaids doing their hair and make-up like most of the weddings, and then the similarity ends. After photographing Teck getting ready, we moved on to the traditional Chinese wedding ritual where the groom has to impress the ladies by any means, including singing, dancing, telling jokes and bribing them with a red envelope (with cash inside), so he can see the bride. The day progressed with a mixture of activities from different wedding traditions. It was almost like I was photographing two  different weddings from the same couple. 

I’ve always said that no two  weddings are the same, they all have their personality and the uniqueness of a wedding is always the people in it. It was a great experience and I definitely very proud and humbled for Michelle and Teck to let me be part of their very special day.  

 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

Best wedding confetti photography

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

 

 

Perfect Wedding Confetti Photography.

 

Newly weds jumping whilst guests through confetti at a wedding in Rivervale barn

One of the most requested wedding photography is by far the confetti shot.

It is a tradition dated back to ancient times. The tradition of throwing confetti over the bride and groom came from Italy. Flowers, petals, grain or rice was thrown at the happy couple, to bestow prosperity and fertility. Tradition aside, confetti throwing is the action shot of the day and the most mesmerising image a photographer can capture at a wedding. 

Confetti throwing might appears to be a fairly straightforward activity and seem fairly easy to achieve, however judging by my experience as a wedding photographer, I found out that there are few easy rules to follow to get those perfect confetti photographs 

Big petals confetti, confetti photography you can see every details.

 

Choosing the Right Confetti

From my research about the tradition of confetti, it is grains and rice used for weddings. This symbolises fruitfulness and prosperity. By throwing it at the couple, it’s a blessing from the guests. I have some photographs of some weddings that grains or rice were thrown. However, I find these grains and rice does not make the most colourful or most effective action shots that are required for a contemporary wedding photography.

To get the desired result, it is paramount to choose the right kind of confetti. I usually suggest having large confetti. It could be of any shape. It could be something natural like flower petals or colourful paper confetti. For the real petals, I found dollzconfetti, a company that specialise in real flower petals and there are also accessories that can be personalised for your own wedding.

I, especially like the confetti poppers they have on offer, a unique way of releasing confetti that I have never seen before. For more budget-friendly type, there is the paper confetti, which offers more variety of colour, shapes and the possibility to personalise every individual confetti. In my research, I found Candle& Cake. A company having party and celebration in mind do check them out for ideas. 

Sarah and David’s wedding confetti photos just outside the church gate.

 

The More the Better

For this once in a lifetime experience, I would suggest go big and go OTT. Have lots of confetti prepared for your guests, best yet, if you have more left after the initial release, why not do it again, a different location, a different angle to photograph or different guests’ formations. Let’s have fun with it. 

For the confetti shot, volume is everything. In order to capture that special moment, I prefer to see the confetti flying in all direction and the sense of wonder is enhanced by the expression on the newlywed’s faces. 

Confetti photograph at Bearwoodlake Golf Club. Guests release confettis in the air

 

The Release

Arguably there are no rules on how to throw confetti, as long as the direction of the scattering is towards the couple. However, as a photographer, I do think there is a more effective way to throw the confetti to get that perfect shot. I think it’s about the float; it’s about making the confetti float in the air as long as possible.

Despite the guests’ desire to throw at happy couple’s faces to create the comic effect, I always request the guests to release it by lowering their hands and letting go while lifting their hands towards the top of their heads. By doing this, the confetti has the chance to stay in the air longer and this gives me more time to capture the moment. 

Rivervale barn wedding photography, couple kissing in confetti.

 

Beautiful Chaos

To make a beautifully composed image is to have all the different elements working together at a specific moment in time and when I press the shutter on the camera, the image is captured. I always strive to have the best possible composition, most flattering lighting and achievable camera angles.

However, it’s not always possible to do the above for confetti images. Apart from the fact that confetti doesn’t follow a specific flight path and there are dozens of wedding guests eager to join in the action, not mention the smartphone camera brigade and the aspiring photographers with high-end cameras all very keen to capture the images one way or another. All that created is an unpredictable chaos that surprising could produce some of the best images of a wedding. 

After photographing so many confetti images and always trying to have the best composition and doing my best to control the crowds, I discovered that sometimes, to just go with the flow, capturing the moments and let the madness take over. 

Wedding confetti in the rain

Replace traditional confetti with bubbles, colourful bubbles shows really well in the mid day sun.

 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

Men in suits, photographing men for weddings

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Admin under General information, Weddings

Portraits of the groom and the groom’s men

It goes without saying, marriage is the union between 2 people. However, most of the wedding photography discussions are about the bride, and rightly so. However, the groom and the groom’s men are also an essential part of the day and it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to shoot some really fantastic images.

The groom and groom's men often have the uniform look.

The groom and groom’s men often have the uniform look.

 

“I bring props with me to add that little extra for a different look”

 

Location and props

I often make extra effort when photographing grooms men, rather than getting them together and taking a simple group shot, I utilise the location where possible to carefully arrange them into something very special.

Sometimes, I bring props with me to add that little extra for a different look; I called it the mafia look. In some cases, the groom and the groom’s men will have accessories with them and I always make good use of them.

Great location can produce fantastic images, with the aid of suitable props would make the image even more special.

Great location can produce fantastic images, with the aid of suitable props would make the image even more special.

 

“The natural and non-composed photographs show personality a lot more and they tell a story.”

 

Natural and spontaneous

I find the easiest way to make people relax is to have a conversation about the things they enjoy doing. Posing is an important part of wedding photography but the natural and non-composed photographs show personality a lot more and they tell a story.

In order to achieve the spontaneous look, I give my groom/groom’s men some simple tasks to do. It could be as simple as walking together and having a good chat about the stag party, or it could just be they are putting their handkerchief in their jacket or flower in their button hole. I make sure they are at the position where there is great lighting and backdrop to create fantastic photographs. It’s not intrusive and they are getting on with getting ready for the wedding.

These images are not posed and it tells a lot more stories

These images are not posed and it tells a lot more stories

 

“Standing the groom in front of the window is a classic one”

 

Into the light

Lighting is an essential part of photography, in term of wedding photography, I always do my best to use natural light. Standing the groom in front of the window is a classic one and in my opinion an essential shot that I will always get for the groom.

Grooms often get ready in a small and not well lit room. The images can still look great by using window light.

Grooms often get ready in a small and not well lit room. The images can still look great by using window light.

 

 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

 

Pre-wedding and engagement photo session

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Admin under General information, Studio portrait, Weddings

 

Most people are not accustomed to having their photos taken by a professional photographer. Although a good photographer should be able to put their subject at ease and produce the photographs, it is difficult for the wedding couple to be totally comfortable with a stranger on the day who is pointing the camera at them most of the time. Therefore, I always arrange to have a pre-wedding photo session a month before the wedding, it’s not only about producing fantastic images, it’s also an opportunity for us to organise the final details and make sure the day will run smoothly.


Photographing at woods near by the studio.

 

Wedding day organisation

Organising your wedding day will be top of the agenda at the pre-wedding session. To put it simply, it’s working out the timeline for the day, what is happening at what time and making sure there is enough time for each task. It usually helps the soon to be wed to work everything through in their mind too. I have gone into detail on this subject in a previous blog post.

Creating lots of closeness and intimacy between the couple

Creating lots of closeness and intimacy between the couple

 

Your wedding guests

No matter how big or small your wedding is, there is a lot to be taken into consideration, especially the family and friends you are inviting, just think of the seating arrangement for your wedding breakfast. In addition, some of your guests come from far away places and it’s important to have those memories of who came to celebrate the union. With that in mind, I work out a list of shots with you, the combination of people you would like to have photographs of and anything special that you are planning. By putting it down on paper, it will make sure we don’t miss the important shots on the day.

Pre -wedding session at location

Pre -wedding session at location

 

Location or studio

Whilst my studio is a comfortable and homely environment for a photo session, lots of people choose to have their pre-wedding photo sessions on location. Rightly so too, weddings are taking place at locations where lighting and conditions are not as controlled as in the studio. In fact, I usually suggest to have your session on location, either at the wedding venue or at a beautiful local wooded area in and around the beautiful village of Mortimer where my studio is based.

Pre wedding session at BAC Maidenhead

 

Preview and finalise

The final stage of the pre-wedding session is to review the images from the session. By doing this, I can go further into the elements of posing and we can see the efforts of the work we have done together and how it will translate into stunning images on the special day – it’s a preview of your photographs after the wedding. Furthermore, in order to finalise everything, I’ll organise a timeline/shortlist for you then send it to your roughly a week before the wedding.

Some photographers may consider pre-wedding sessions as additional work and add extra charges for it. I believe it is an essential part of wedding photography. As a rule, I build it into the wedding photography package no matter how big or small.

By reviewing the images straight away, I am able to give them an idea what the result of the wedding day photography might look like.

By reviewing the images straight away, I am able to give them an idea what the result of the wedding day photography might look like.

 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

Tips and tricks on posing for wedding photography

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Admin under General information, Location, Weddings

There are so many different elements that need to come together to make a stunning wedding photograph. It is paramount to get the posing right when the bride and/or groom is involved in the creation of the photograph. I have come up with some ideas and tips for your consideration.

 

Working with your photographer, discover what works and what doesn’t.

I do understand posing for photographs is a scary prospect for lots of people. Many of the brides and grooms I work with feel this way. Therefore, I always have a pre-wedding photography session 1 month before the wedding. This gives me the opportunity to teach my soon to wed couple how to pose, and it’s also a great way to have them get used to me photographing them. Most people infrequently or never have professional photographs which can make it feel like an uneasy experience.

Having a pre-wedding photo session with your photographer is also a chance for the photographer to see what you are capable of. In my experience, I often find I can bring out the best of my subject just by getting to know them better.

Working with your photographer to get the best result.

Working with your photographer to get the best result.

 

“Use the limbs to create shapes then add curves by relaxing the torso.”

 

Curve and twist

The human body is naturally curved and round, it’s also most relaxed when it is not rigid. The rule of good posing is to use the limbs to create shapes then add curves by relaxing the torso. It’s an elegant look that suits most brides.

Use your body to create shape

 

 

Get comfortable and lost in the moment

Getting yourselves comfortable is the easiest way to achieve a stunning pose for most couples. Nothing too complicated, just relax and enjoy the moment. Although this is sometimes easier said than done. Wedding couples are the centre of attention and it’s normal to feel nervous as all the spot lights are on you. My suggestion to the bride and groom is to immerse themselves in their own world. Just enjoy each other’s company and do what feels natural. You’ll be surprised what you can produce when you are relaxed.

There are lots of emotion on the wedding day, use that emotion and create something special.

There are lots of emotion on the wedding day, use that emotion and create something special.

 

“Relax and enjoy the moment.”

 

 

Incorporate the location and use what’s around you.

The venue is a big part of your wedding. It could be a registry office, a mansion house, an old church, or a stunning castle. The idea is to use your surroundings to create poses that correspond with the architecture. For example, you could lean on a beautiful arch door or a decorative porch. A good photographer would know how to enhance your wedding photography by utilising the features of the location.

Wedding venue often stunning. Therefore, use it.

Wedding venue often stunning. Therefore, use it.

 

 

“I believe wedding photography should be an experience rather than just me turning up on the day and snapping away.”

 

 

Make it really special, use props and interesting set ups.

I am always very keen to do something special for the wedding couple. I believe wedding photography should be an experience rather than just me turning up on the day and snapping away. A talented wedding photographer will use what’s on hand to make it part of the photography, such as a bouquet or vail, and for grooms it may be a hat or other accessories. I often bring different props with me to enhance the wedding photography experience. It could be sunglasses, a vintage camera, a decorative umbrella, or even apple crates. All these ideas and extra effort I put in will add that extra dimension to your wedding photography.

 

I believe wedding photography should be an experience not just taking photos

I believe wedding photography should be an experience not just taking photos

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813

 

Keep your wedding day stress free

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Admin under General information, Weddings

 

 

Managing your wedding day timeline

Your wedding is one of the most important occasions in your life. The planning of your wedding could take months, if not years. As a wedding photographer, it comes down to me to create wedding photography that not only documents your special day, but elevates it into memories that will last for a life time.

Consider this; there is no way to re-do your wedding day and there are succession of tasks to go through on the day that need to fit together like a perfectly cut jigsaw.

The following words are some helpful pointers on how best to plan the timeline on your wedding day. They are recommendations I give to couples on how to run the day and how to get the best out of your wedding photography in the planning stage.

Morning preparation stage is an important part of your wedding day, arrange enough time both bride and groom to be photographed

Morning preparation stage is an important part of your wedding day, arrange enough time both bride and groom to be photographed

 

Tight but loose at the same time

Paradoxical! I know. It’s about organising your day properly. Having enough gaps in between each activity and working out the time needed for them in order to keep the day flowing. For example, you might have a very busy schedule before the ceremony but have a long wait between the ceremony and the start of the wedding breakfast. I would suggest pushing the ceremony later in the day so the day is spread out better.

 

Location, Location, Location

Most weddings taking place at multiple locations. It could be 3 to 4 different locations. From preparation in the morning, the groom/grooms men getting ready, the church and the venue(s). For me, a fair amount of time will be dedicated to traveling between them and I always recommend having the locations as close to each other as possible. This will give me more time to photograph every stage of the preparation and keep the day flowing as planned. It is important to factor in the photographer’s travel time when planning.

prep 2

Its goes without saying that the groom plays a massive part of your wedding, As the grooms usually getting ready in different location, it would be ideal to factor in the traveling time for the photographer.

Its goes without saying that the groom plays a massive part of your wedding, As the grooms usually getting ready in different location, it would be ideal to factor in the traveling time for the photographer.

 

Start at the end and work backwards

Yet another paradoxical concept but let me explain. You should always plan every stage of the wedding from the end of your last activity. For example, your ceremony starts at 2pm and your wedding breakfast starts at 4pm. On paper, 2 hours is sufficient time. In practice, this might not be enough for your photography. The ceremony will take around 30 to 40 minutes, then the reception with your guests. This will most likely leave only 1 hour for your wedding photography. Which isn’t ideal. I usually suggest to my clients to push the wedding breakfast back for 30 minutes or so, which gives us more time. The last thing I want to do is rush your wedding photographs.

 

Think of your wedding guests

Goes without saying! The wedding guests are your beloved family and friends. They are a massive part of your day. There will be times they have to wait and are not doing much. Therefore, keeping them entertained and fed is always a good idea, especially if you have lots of children at your wedding.

Arrange plenty of activities for your guests.

Arrange plenty of activities for your guests.

 

Chat with your supplier

Your supplier is a great asset for your wedding. They have much more experience in organising a wedding than you do. Considering most people only get married once, this isn’t surprising. Their input could be a real help.

 

Stick to your timeline.

In my experience, it is hard to see how the day will pan out regardless of how much planning you have done before hand. However, as a photographer, my job is to produce beautiful wedding photographs on your big day, and to do that I rely on a plan that works. It is highly recommended that we stick to the same timeline so your wedding day is photographed to the best of my ability.

 

A well planned wedding is like a fantastic wedding party group portrait, all the elements need to be at the right place and at the same time.

A well planned wedding is like a fantastic wedding party group portrait, all the elements need to be at the right place and at the same time.

 

 

Your author

This blog post is provided by Jack Chen ABIPP ARPS. Award winning photographer based in Reading UK, specialising is wedding and portrait photography. If you are interested in any service, visit the website.

www.luxvita.co.uk

Contact detail

Email: jack@luxvita.co.uk

Mobile: 07971939813.

 

Corporate portraits

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Admin under Corporate and PR, Location, PR/Commercial

Cellnovo is an international company with staff and management team from different parts of the world. To photograph them would be a challenge considering the time constrain and location. Especially when there is a call for a group photograph.

I was given a short period of time to photograph the individual board members and a group photograph of all 9 board members. I decided to use high key backdrop to keep its uniformity. First I photograph for the individual portraits then another for the group. where I can put them together in post production.

The result speak for themselves. You can also see how is the company utilise the images on there website by click on the images.

 

 

composit group shot

 

Use high key background to photography individuals then put them together in post production

Use high key background to photography individuals then put them together in post production