Just Say Yay!

Someone is taking your picture and what do they tell you to say right before they squeeze the shutter? "Say cheese!" The thought is that by saying cheese your mouth will form something close to a smile. However, how many pictures do you have where someone is stuck in the "ch" part of that word? So, cheese is maybe not the right word to use. Aunt Jodi told me last year that instead you should say, "Yay!" Anton is going to wish this was buried for all eternity, but to get Anton to smile when he was a little boy, I just had to say, "boobs." I know that sounds crass, but he'd giggle every time. It would get to the point where all I'd have to say is, "What do we think about when we take pictures?" and he'd smile huge. You all may look at his grade school portraits a little differently now.

Since both of you couples will be having lots of pictures taken of you at these weddings and prior to, I thought it might be good to get some posing/smiling tips from the pros.

• I've heard this tip before, but not sure it is necessary for our folks. To avoid a double chin, put your tongue on the roof of your mouth as you smile.You can also tilt your chin up just a tiny bit and that helps, too.
• Avoid a head on shot which may not be flattering. Tilt down, up or to the side. Be careful of this, however, cause you don't want to look awkward.
• Hand on the hip - makes you look thinner, and we all want to look thinner. This is for girls only. Don't want to see Rob and Tone with their hands on their hips. By the way, make sure your elbow is pulled back and not sticking straight out. It's even more thinning and straightens your posture. Just don't gymnast pose it.
• Tilt your body slightly away from the camera. The angle will thin you. Stand straight. You can also put one foot forward pointed at the camera or cross your legs at the calf. Again this is thinning. What's really funny is googling celebrity photo poses and seeing one celebrity doing this same pose combined with the hand on hip over and over again. So it apparently works.
• If you want just a sweet smile, let your bottom lip rest at the bottom of your upper teeth. Don't smile too big or you can scrunch up your face and lose your eyes.
• Smize. If you are a Tyra Banks fan then you are familiar with the term. It means smiling with your eyes. Apparently your smile is more genuine when your eyes are smiling, too.
• In several places I read that you should practice your smile, make up, poses and hairstyle to make sure you are photographed for posterity the way you want to be remembered.

So there you go. Tips for the perfect wedding photos. So find something you can think about to make you smile huge (keep it classy) and don't say cheese.

Discussion: Have you ever practiced poses or smiles? What is something that gets you to smile every time?

Prayer: Father, you have made us beautiful in your sight. We pray for big smiles on these wedding days ahead and lovely photos to have in remembrance. In Jesus we pray, Amen.

Impromptu Poses & Picturesque Portraits

Rob and Ayla are in the process of searching for a wedding photographer. It is an important part of weddings as it seems every single aspect of the preparation, ceremony and reception are captured in pictures, so you want a quality photographer. At the same time, couples will spend thousands of dollars on pictures they may look at once a year if they're lucky for the rest of their marriage. Friends who've been married a long time said what's most important is getting that picture of the two of you together after the wedding. You have to ask yourselves, "Do I want to spend thousands of dollars for a photo album?" because truly that is what it's for. So be fiscally responsible is making your photographer decision. Get a good one, but don't break your budget for it.

No matter who you get for your photographer, it is wise to make a list of the photos that are important to you. You may want specific poses with the bridal party and family members, candid shots, action shots or clever pics for thank yous and social media. So take the time to make up a list and keep it handy. If it's not something you particularly want to stay on top of, you may want to ask someone to keep the list for you during the wedding and keep track of what you have yet to get photographed.

We figure the traditional shots are assumed: couple, bridal party, families, father escorting daughter down the aisle, ceremony highlights, kiss, toast, cake cutting, first dance, father/daughter dance, bouquet/garter toss, etc, so those will go without saying. And many wedding magazines, websites and planners have photo check lists available. We looked up some information to see what other ideas you might want on your list.

1) Some recommend getting a picture of the wedding dress by itself. Personally I don't get that as you'll be wearing it in every photo, so why have a shot of a dress hanging? A close up of the shoes or putting on the garter, I get that ... they won't be seen in most photos. Also, close ups of things like the bouquet, boutonnieres, rings, centerpieces, cake, etc. You may want a visual of all those things to remember.

2) Pictures of you with your bridal party members together and individually. The together shot is pretty much just for you. Know that each person may want an individual picture of themselves with you. Typically, they probably will not want a bridal party picture unless they know everyone in the photo (pretty rare occurrence), but they will want one with just you. If several in the bridal party are friends, bring that group together for a shot as well. Have fun with these - one posed, one relaxed or even goofy.

4) Groom at the altar. Capturing that emotion as he sees his bride for the first time is a treasure. Lots of couples do the "first look" so it can be something between them both privately and so they can shoot pictures of the couple before the wedding instead of after to save time. However, while the tradition part doesn't have much weight perhaps, you still aren't even married then, so why shoot pictures together?

5) 28 minutes/28 years - a personal plug for Daddy and I since Rob and Ayla are getting married on our anniversary. :)

Some clever ideas we saw ...

1) Bridesmaids and brides from behind with their arms around their waists.
2) Groomsmen with superhero T-shirts under their tuxes.
3) Candid Daddy/Daughter shot before walking down the aisle.
4) Anything with a windswept veil.
5) All the bridemaids' bouquets held around the bride's bouquet. We even saw one where the last name initial was made by the bouquets.
6) The bride and groom praying together before the wedding with a door or wall between them so they don't see each other.

  Maybe even take some time coming up with your own ideas for wedding shots you love that will incorporate things unique to you as a couple ... and have fun. This is one time in your life where not only will you be making memories, but will have gobs of pictures to prove it.

Discussion: What is a photo pose you must have? Do you have a clever idea for a wedding picture?

Prayer: Lord, we ask for discernment in selecting a photographer. We pray for a talented photographer of integrity who will be affordable and fun. Thank you in advance, Father, for your guidance. In Jesus, Amen.