smithersphotography

How lucky are we, getting to live on the beautiful Central Coast! It has so many beautiful spots, that we are really spoilt for choice when it comes to possible locations for photography. It really depends on your preference – do you love the beach? If it’s a big fat yes from your side be prepared to walk through sand, and maybe even a few stairs to get to the perfect spot, as some of the best locations may not be in plain sight. You ideally want to choose a beach that is not highly frequented – you may not feel comfortable to have spectators watching on, and having a lot of people in the background makes photos and the editing process unnecessarily challenging, unless you love strangers photobombing your photos! As long as you’re not worried about getting sandy feet and a bit of sand or dirt on your dress (trust us – if you’re uncomfortable it will show in your photos), a beach location can be the perfect choice. Afternoon light is usually the best and less harsh, so you want to time your wedding schedule accordingly for your photographer to capture the beautiful late afternoon golden glow. You can simply stroll along the beach, climb onto the rocks or if you are more adventurous and playful, splash each other at the edge of the water. We are certainly up for anything and don’t mind getting our feet wet for the perfect shot. We have done some beautiful shoots on the beach – it’s always a popular choice for wedding couples and families. If you love the ocean but are not keen on carrying sand back to your reception, there are other options to include water views. We’ve worked with a bride that really wanted the ocean as her backdrop in the bridal shoot, but the wind and sand would make her eyes itch, so we chose to shoot at a jetty and lakeside location instead. This also meant less walking, which is something you should consider when you are strapped for time or have people that are less mobile with you. Another beautiful way to capture the ocean without braving the elements too much is choosing a lookout or location overlooking the water as your photo location. Luckily there are plenty to choose from, whether you are on the Southern or Northern part of the Central Coast. The lush greens of the bush are a stunning backdrop as well, not just here on the Central Coast. We love shooting areas with indirect light and a bit of shade – the light is so flattering and on a hot day you will be grateful for getting out of the sun for a bit. To get to the really magical spots you usually need to be prepared for a bit of a walk, so bring a comfy pair of shoes for the walking part! However, sometimes a line of trees that is easily accessible – a public park, your backyard or even a pretty driveway – might do the trick, too. But don’t be discouraged if you’re not up for the exercise or are short on time – an experienced photographer will be able to make the most out of almost any location. How amazing are waterfalls as your photo backdrop! A favourite of ours – but, in most cases, they require quite a bit of walking, and your timeline needs to allow enough time to get there and do the shoot. You will certainly be rewarded with beautiful images though! However, not every couple is willing to spend hours away from their guests on their wedding day to have their photos taken. A shoot at the waterfall definitely requires more time, due to their usually remote locations. If you love the setting but can’t find enough time in your wedding schedule, how about booking an engagement shoot there instead, like our couple below? We also love it when our clients have unusual ideas or requests, too – it really gets the creativity going! The dance photo shoot with the waterfall as the backdrop was challenging for all sides, but so much fun, and we ended up with some amazing and unique photos. One thing important to do is research – certain locations, landmarks or national parks will require you to pay a fee or permit to photograph there. Please don’t leave it up to your photographer to organize! If there is a fee involved (whether it is for parking, council fees or the use of a private property) it is your responsibility to cover the cost, unless arranged otherwise. There’s nothing more embarrassing than rocking up to a shoot and then be refused entry or be send away mid shoot. You certainly don’t need that kind of stress on your wedding day! So, how do you choose your perfect photo location for your wedding photos here on the Coast and beyond? Your first step is to find the right wedding venue for you. If you have ceremony and reception at the same location we usually have more time for photos, as we don’t have to travel in between, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose different locations you fell in love with! Different locations can give you more diverse photos, and as long as you time your wedding schedule right – leaving a bigger gap in between ceremony and reception – no location change should be an issue. You have to choose your venue to suit you – of course, it has to fit in your budget, but in the end it will be your heart that will let you know you have found the right one. Once you have secured your venue your photographer will help you choose suitable photography locations. You may have some ideas, but the experience your photographer brings to the table will definitely help narrow down options and also let you know if something won’t work. You might really love to have

A lot of our couples are deciding to have a smaller wedding instead of wanting all the bells and whistles of the traditional wedding, even before the current social distancing rules and restrictions came in. And who’s to say an intimate ceremony can’t be as beautiful! We always say to our couples to have the wedding the way THEY want, and some people do not want all the fuss and attention of a big wedding. If you look at it, all you really need is yourself and your loving bond as a couple to make it a special day, and if you like to surround yourself with your closest family or friends, a legals only or small wedding allows for that, too. Budget may be another reason for couples to keep their weddings small. Whatever your reason may be, you shouldn’t see an Elopement or small wedding as a compromise solution or Plan B. With the right attitude and a wonderful celebrant it can be just as emotional and special as any elaborate wedding. If you are one of the couples that were meant to get married this year but have been left disappointed and feeling lost among all the current restrictions, keeping your original wedding date may still be possible. You most likely chose that particular date for a reason or it might carry special meaning – so why not still get married that day? You can have the big party once the restrictions have been lifted completely and even do another ceremony or vow renewal, just the way you originally planned. Who doesn’t like to celebrate their wedding twice? And it doesn’t need to break the bank, either! Elopement ceremonies are no more expensive than getting married at the registry office (sometimes even cheaper!), but – in our opinion – are a lot nicer and more personal. A big bonus is that you can choose a nice location to tie the knot, like a park, nice backyard or the beach. We have photographed some beautiful intimate weddings and can wholeheartedly say that they can be just as memorable and touching as any big wedding! Those few people that get to witness your ceremony will feel even more honoured to be a part of your day, and the focus really lies on the importance and beauty of your union as a couple. We believe any wedding – big or small – deserves to be captured. Photos have the wonderful ability to bring back memories and carry emotions, and we like our images to be a true representation of your wedding day. When we designed our photography packages we were thinking about how different everyone’s needs and plans are, and how we can pay that justice. Our smaller photography packages are aimed at couples that are simply looking for someone to photograph their ceremony – after all, that’s what it’s all about! We make sure there is always enough time to do a quick bridal shoot, too, so you get those beautiful portraits of just the two of you on that special day. Or if you prefer, we can photograph you with your guests before you head of for a celebratory lunch or dinner. Whether you have already found your celebrant or are looking at a package option that suits you – we are happy to help. We have worked with some wonderful celebrants and know some beautiful locations to have your ceremony that will also work well for beautiful bridal photos. Sometimes we need to free ourselves from expectations that say you have to go all out when it comes to weddings, and have to stop worrying about whether you can afford getting married! There is always a way, and an Elopement or intimate wedding might just be the perfect choice for you.