Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Day After The First Day of The Rest of Your Life....

The next day always brings a myriad of thoughts. “I can’t believe it’s over.” “I’m so glad it’s over”, “what happened last night?” I can’t believe that happened last night”. It’s hard to wake up the day after your wedding and resume a normal life. The spotlight is off, the confetti has been tossed, and everyone else has gone home. So what do you do? Well now couples are finding a way to keep the magic for a bit longer. Introducing, the ‘day after’ photo shoot. This can be interchanged with “trash the dress”. Most couples get minimal alone time to do fun or creative photos. And then there is the worry that something happens to the dress while you still have a whole reception to participate in. Scheduling a photo shoot the day (or a few days) after your big day is quickly becoming a sought after wedding package.


photo by Lynn Michelle- www.lynnmichelle.com


DFW photographer Kevin Jairaj of KJ Images says that these photo shoots are becoming increasingly popular. “Couples are now having later ceremonies to take advantage of a more intimate setting with candlelight. But that poses a problem for photographers. It means that we run short on time and lighting.” Jairaj continues to say that many couples schedule the shoot either before they leave on their honeymoon or for when they return. “There is so much less pressure on the bride and groom- they don’t have to worry about their dress or their hair and make-up or looking good in front of their friends and family. They can relax and end up having a lot of fun with the shoot because it’s just about them”!

photo by Kevin Jairaj- www.kjimages.com

On the other side of the lens, if you will, are those couples who have had a terrible experience with their original photographer. Lynn Michelle of Lynn Michelle Photography says that many of her clients come in devastated over their wedding day photos. “Some photographers are just not qualified or do not have enough experience to create and stick to a successful schedule or timeline. Their clients come to me hoping to make up for the lack of quality photos they had on their wedding day,” says Michelle. “I end up re-doing a lot of traditional, candid shots that please mom and dad, and then I can get creative!”


photo by Lynn Michelle- www.lynnmichelle.com


Day after shoots are also popular because it allows the bride to get more mileage out of their dress. It gives brides another day to have all about them- which helps their ‘wedding day withdrawals’. However, the grooms’ involvement can be sensitive. Michelle finds that “most grooms are totally done with wedding, being in a tux and over their photography experience. They don’t want anything to do with another shoot”. But Jairaj has a different take on their attitude. Although they can be reserved at first, Jairaj says that once they get into the session, they get more excited. “It’s a chance for the husbands to take sensual, sexy photos with their wife. It can be a once in a lifetime experience, and once they warm up, they are totally invested.”


photo by Kevin Jairaj, www.kjimages.com


photo by Kevin Jairaj, www.kjimages.com


Whether their first photographer experience was good or bad, many brides know that their dress will never be worn again- so they might as well have fun and make memories while destroying the most important element of their big day. Since Jairaj does many destination weddings each year, he has one of the best locations for this type of shoot. The sun, the sand, the beach- all are elements that can create a magical shot. “I can get some really good scenic shots, and then at the end- the brides are so excited to get in the water and get some great shots. With all the salt and sand- their dress is ruined. But they will get more use out of the photos then they ever would of their dress,” says Jairaj.


photo by Lynn Michelle- www.lynnmichelle.com


Both photographers like to take into account the couple’s interests and format the shoot around them. Michelle had a couple that was extremely into art- Eric gave Julie a painting for her wedding present. So it only seemed fitting to do their day after shoots at a paintball range. They brought out paints and got to finger paint each other- and even threw paint grenades to get massive spots of color. “I had so much fun at that shoot and got some great moments between Julie and Eric. But I wouldn’t recommend throwing paint grenades around photography equipment. It’s been two years and I still have the evidence on some of my cameras!” says Michelle.


photo by Lynn Michelle- www.lynnmichelle.com


photo by Lynn Michelle- www.lynnmichelle.com


One of Jairaj’s most memorable day after sessions happened well after the wedding day. His bride was pregnant at her wedding, so she waited until after she had the baby and lost all the baby weight- then she and her husband went back to capture more intimate moments. “I was just blown away at this session. My former bride looked stunning and I got some really good shots”, says Jairaj.


The saying goes “A picture is worth a thousand words”. So if you have two photo sessions- you have a lot more to say about yourself, your wedding, and your spouse. And these are the memories that last a lifetime. Your dress is just going to collect dust….

Check out Lynn Michelle’s coverage on the Today show!
http://lynnmichelle.smugmug.com/gallery/9819189_WDWGB#887169564_6TvSn-A-LB

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