How-to

An At-home Guide to DIY Wedding And Engagement Photography

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With the world still in the throes of a global pandemic, it isn’t just weddings that are being canceled — it’s every step of the process. From proposal plans, bachelorette parties, engagement celebrations, and honeymoons, there’s no doubt that everyone with any sort of 2020 wedding plans is mourning the loss of what could have been.
However, if one positive thing has come out of quarantine, it is that people are getting creative and figuring out how to do it all themselves. We have loved seeing at-home weddings live-streamed on Facebook or filling the pews of an empty church with photos of their loved ones, but it got us thinking: Who is taking all of these photographs? While it may still be possible to hire photographers right now, as long as you are practicing safe social distancing measures (and we encourage you to do so if you can afford it, as so many photographers have lost out on their source of income), this may be a situation where you need to turn to DIY. So whether it’s capturing the moment of your own engagement, recording your wedding, or helping out someone you are quarantined with commemorate theirs, we’ve got you covered here with tips and tricks for at-home photography. 

1. Invest In Some Tech

Regardless of what type of camera you are going to be taking pictures on, whether it’s a DSLR you haven’t touched since college or someone’s phone, a tripod will help the quality of your photos immensely. Adding some sort of stabilization technique will ensure that any photos or videos you may take will be free of blur and work to make sure that whoever is helping out behind the camera keeps their fingers out of the lens as they’re holding it.
Phone tripods can start as low as $15-$30 and will make a noticeable difference in quality, especially for videos. Plus, they have the added bonus of making sure that no one has to physically hold it for you, so more people get to enjoy the moment. If live-streaming isn’t your thing, a tripod will give you the ability to take an entire video of the ceremony to send to loved ones later, and you won’t have to edit someone’s breathing out of the audio. 
With that being said, another small gadget that may add ease to your day, especially with limited people, is a wireless camera remote. If we’re talking specifically about phones, remotes will connect to your phone through Bluetooth and give you the ability to take a photo without hitting the button or the screen yourself. These remotes are fabulous for taking group pictures when you don’t want someone to be left out behind the photo, and we can assume that for these at-home weddings, you want as many people to be able to be in the frame or watching the ceremony as possible.
Don’t have a photographer to be able to take your beauty shots as you’re getting ready? Trying to take engagement photos with just your SO? Use a camera remote to get the look of a photographer and be able to get some full-body shots (just make sure to hide the remote in your hand) without having “selfie-arm” in the frame. These can be a little finicky, and you want to make sure you buy one that is compatible with your phone, so it may be worth investing in one that is slightly more expensive. For us, getting to include everyone in photos for around $30 is totally worth it. 

2. Do Some Research

Photography can be a very overwhelming field for those who have never entered it before. Because of the immediate expense of most cameras and equipment, it can definitely feel like there is a financial barrier to entry, which is a huge deterrent to lots of folks. Don’t worry though — with the improvement of cellphone photography technologies, there are lots of resources available for ways to make the most of your phone camera. Online guides such as this one will be able to give you the photography basics and allow you to start thinking about making the shot, not just getting it. Whether it’s through Youtube tutorials or just a standard Google search, there are plenty of materials out there to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your abilities when the day actually comes. 
Also, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help! There were days before cell phones, and you may have a family member or neighbor who has an old camera in a box or a closet somewhere that you can (safely) borrow for your purposes. Be aware though: it takes even the best photographers time to adjust to a new camera, so make sure you reach out early and allow yourself enough time to read up on the camera you’re using and take lots of test shots. You may end up deciding you are more comfortable with your phone after all, but it doesn’t hurt to see what your community can offer you to support you if they can’t physically be there to celebrate. Whether it comes in the form of equipment or advice, it can’t be offered unless you reach out and ask.

3. Plan Ahead

It seems like in the days of self-isolation, we have all the time in the world to sit around and plan. Make the most of this time by thinking about exactly what you want to capture in the day. Is it more important to you to get close-up photos of you and your partner saying vows? Or would you prefer wider shots of any or all of those in attendance? Take a camera and snap a picture of the empty space where the event will be taking place to test things out.
Our brains are so used to everything in our own homes that we see every day that we may not notice when a lampshade is crooked or when you can see the overflowing recycling bin in the corner. Try to take a step back and think about every object that will be in the frame, and remember: no one can see what’s outside of it. Rearrange furniture, move lamps, add some decor from other parts of your house, and make that space fit your vision. You don’t need to spend all your time decorating, but straightening a few picture frames on the wall will help with the “if onlys” when you look back at this day. 
One of the most crucial aspects of any photo is the lighting, but it is also one of the trickiest simply because it can be so out of your control. When considering where in your house or backyard you might want to take photos, consider how much light it gets. Something not often known is that direct sunlight is actually incredibly hard to shoot in. The bright sun washes out colors, giving your end result a bleached or unnatural look. Shadows are good, but if they are uneven, you will end up with a patchwork of dark and light that is incredibly hard to edit through, so make sure that any patches of direct light aren’t falling onto people’s faces or anything you want to be clearly seen.
A photographer’s best friend is actually an overcast day or the couple hours before the sun sets when colors come out truly perfect. Notice how the light moves through your house during the day and choose a space accordingly. You can also use any of your test shots to look at artificial light alternatives and which lamps or overhead light combinations work best. Muted yellow-toned lamps will give people a glow but may be too dark to get bright photographs. Experiment, readjust, and play around, and don’t be surprised if you have to change it again day-of. 

4. Consider Your Look

If you find yourself in a position where you can’t hire a photographer, chances are, you aren’t having a glam team come in for the day either. While you may have some comfort level with doing your own makeup, it’s important to have some consideration of what it will look like on camera in order to make sure you’re happy with the photos. Lighting is an especially important consideration of this, as it is with almost anything, as most times, cameras tend to slightly desaturate colors and not show the true intensity of everything.
This means for lip color or blush, you might want to apply with a slightly heavier hand than normal to make sure that the finished look is vibrant and youthful on camera. One thing the camera will not hide, however, is cakey foundation. Make sure you’re using a foundation that maybe doesn’t cover every pore or freckle on your skin. After all, you want these photos to look like you. A BB cream or something light coverage paired with a creamy and brightening concealer may be the best way to lay down your base today. 
Natural light is definitely easier to make sure that the makeup look reads well on camera and will give an extra natural sparkle to your look. Speaking of sparkle, however, certain shimmery makeup products are a no-go for your big photo day. The extra bits of reflection that make them look so good in person will reflect even more in bright light and take away from the photo’s focus on your face. In order to make sure you’re feeling extra glam even without the glitz, it may be time to invest in a pair of false lashes. Any sort of portrait photography emphasizes the lips and the eyes of the face, and a good pair of falsies just add that little bit of special flair to make you feel like it’s not just a normal day. Like any special event makeup look, maybe try it out a couple of times before the event to make sure you’re feeling as good as you look, and when in doubt, go minimal. You look beautiful. 

5. Take Your Time Editing

When all is said and done and you have an SD card or camera roll full of shots from your day, make sure to take your time with the editing aspect. Yet another best-kept secret of the photography industry is that everything is edited. So don’t be discouraged if your photos don’t come out immediately looking photo-album worthy. Take some time to look through and pick out your favorites, but don’t delete the others. Mark any that you think you might like, but there’s something you’re not sure about: a shadow on someone’s face, car headlights making the windows too bright, a weird color issue. We recommend uploading all of your photos to a computer screen, as it will make it much easier to evaluate the photos and work on them. Many computers come with some sort of basic photo-editing software, which is a good starting point for quick fixes. Honestly, most editing for nonprofessionals comes down to trial and error. If you’re worried about messing up a photo, make sure you duplicate it before you try any extreme edits. But spending time changing settings and adjusting little by little will allow you to get a sense of what you like, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you learn. 
If you are more comfortable editing on your phone, there are lots of free apps available for both Apple and Android that will make the experience easier. Snapseed will give you more of a traditional photo-editor experience, while VSCO and Prisma will give you filter options for a quick touch up. While some filters are incredibly fun for social media purposes, make sure you’re thinking about the longevity of these photos and emphasizing the natural beauty in them (a.k.a. you and your partner!) rather than covering it up. If you’re feeling extra confident in your skills or have some editing experience, Adobe Lightroom CC is one of the best apps that has a simple layout but delivers stunning results. 
We can’t wait to see your at-home photos online! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @Loverly or #soLoverly if you use any of these tips or just want to share your special day with us. Especially in this time where we can’t all be together, photos are a way to experience your love without being present, and we hope this advice will help you out along the way. 
Kellee Khalil
About The Author
Kellee Khalil is the Founder & CEO of Loverly. She lives in upstate NY with her fiancé and two dogs.
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