It’s A Snap: Taking The Perfect Honeymoon Picture

by Mia Bolaris-Forget (Staff Writer NYCityWeddings)

Besides saying your “I Dos”, it’s the next major milestone in your married lives. No, not the family, (at least not yet), but the honeymoon.

Your ideal getaway miles away perhaps in some of the world’s most renowned, scenic and exotic destinations. There’s little question that you’ll want to capture it for posterity and to share with friends and family. And, you’ll likely want professional style photos. But, chances are, your photography and videography crew have completed their job and capturing life’s post-marital “magic” moments will be entirely up to you.

But whoever said you’d have to “compromise” quality? Certainly not us. In fact, with some careful (advanced) planning and some “ingenious” strategy, you can point and shoot just like the pros.

1. ls Of The Trade:luate or Re-Evaluate your current photography equipment. If you’re anything like me you’re “still” holding on to an old “point and shoot” that works “just fine” if and when I remember to change the battery. Make sure your equipment is at least partially up to date and easy to use. Also make sure it’s travel-friendly: compact and lightweight and with minimal (if any) additional attachments.

Besides quality and convenience you should also understand how to use your new travel “toy”. Take time to thoroughly read the manual BEFORE you go on your honeymoon. Remember that practice makes perfect, so consider testing your new camera before heading out on your honeymoon. Also, bring the manual with you, as well as a spare set or batteries or an extra cartridge just in case.

2. Bring Yourself Up To Speed: Keep in mind that film is not something you should compromise on, especially when your goal is recording “history” in the making. Generally speaking, the higher the film speed, the less flash you’ll need because higher speeds allow for taking photos in “darker” areas. While experts suggest choosing your film speed according to your destination (200 for sunny climates, 400 for more overcast areas), you’re better off going with a higher speed so you don’t have to be concerned with changing film every time the clouds shift or the weather changes.

Also keep in mind that if you’re flying, you may want to remove the film from its container, put it in a clear plastic bag and ask security to check it manually. While airport x-ray machines generally are only harmful to extremely high-speed films (such as 800 speed) it’s better, say experts, to be safe than sorry. And don’t forget that it’s probably cheaper to buy film (in bulk) locally, so be sure to stock up.

3. Timing Is Everything: Experts emphasize the need to time your photos right. A high noon expose in your bikini may mean capturing less than flattering glare, causing your face to look scrunched up. The best photo opportunity is between 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. According to experts the sun is “lower” during these hours and has a warmer look, giving you more contract and color saturation.

For daytime photos, make sure the sun is behind the person taking the picture, unless you are trying to generate a backlit effect. You can also use your hand as a shield. At night you may find getting enough light a bit of a challenge, especially since flashes can only illuminate up to 15 feet, which means get as up close and person to your subject as you can. But professionals caution, trying to capture one of the Vegas casinos at night is simply not a good idea.

4. Take “Inspired” photos: Brush up on some creative photo-taking techniques when capturing a memorable moment. Instead of centering your photo, consider instead separating your frame into thirds. For horizontal thirds, place your horizon line at or above the top third line to enhance the foreground, or at or below the lower third to accentuate the sky. For vertical thirds, align your subject either to the right or left of the frame looking or pointing (with his or her body) at the opposite side of the picture.

Try to break things up a bit and alter the way in which you take each photo. Enhance photos by using close-ups or panoramic shots. Use your keen sense of creativity, experiment and taking chances by opting for more “daring” than “dull” photos.

5. Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends: Okay, so maybe you don’t want to ask friends and family to tag along on your honeymoon with you, but you don’t want to wind up with individual shots of each of you either. Consider buddying up with some folks at your resort, hotel, or cruise ship. You can even ask hotel or wait staff to take your photo.

Another alternative is to get “familiar” with another couple and “double date” Besides making “friends” may also mean the opportunity to split the cost of certain adventures, as well as splitting the task of recording them for the future.

6. The Best Way To “Develop” Your Talent: Experts suggest taking your film, not to the quickest, cheapest venue, but to a reputable business to have them developed. They suggest asking friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. for their recommendations. You may even want to hold back on the doubles and splurge a bit more on the processing or getting some of your favorites blown up and/or framed.

Furthermore, professionals suggest reviewing you pictures immediately noting if any are missing, damaged and also editing the set for any repetitive doubles, triples, etc. And, they say, (try to) make it a point to either place them in an album or scarp book (preferably before sharing them with family and friends).