The Perfect Wedding Photos: It's All About Light and Emotion With Maggie Heinzel-Neel
I've worked with Hudson Valley photographer Maggie Heinzel-Neel quite a few times; she is known for fabulously creative, emotional wedding photography paired with a "light touch," documenting without interfering. I had a hunch she'd have a unique perspective on weddings that would be both insightful and provocative.
All photos in this blog post are courtesy of the generous...and generously talented...Maggie.
So I start by asking one of my favorite photographer questions...
"What can a couple do to guarantee amazing wedding photos?"
"The late afternoon sun is the prettiest and most flattering," Maggie says. Check out Maggie's photos of the couple in that gorgeous afternoon sun at Osborn Castle...
Be Natural and Relaxed
"In order to have genuine, heart-felt photos, I suggest things for my couples to do rather than posing them," Maggie answers. "They might walk up and down a path; she might whisper in his ear...This keeps it moving and free flowing...and they're not looking at the camera all the time."
According to Maggie, great wedding photos result from a relaxed and happy couple. "Try to make taking pictures fun, rather than a big, horrible chore. Enjoy the process."
Don't Fear the Weather Gods
Maggie carries five white umbrellas in the back of her car...just in case.
Even rain on your wedding day doesn't have to ruin your photos. If you're game, venture out into the rain for super-fun, beautiful photos.
"The light on a rainy day is soft, diffused and saturated," Maggie says. With a talented photographer, it will be amazing, whatever the weather is.
Check out Maggie's rainy day wedding shots...
And these gorgeous photos were taken indoors because it was too cold to go outside, yet they are overflowing with romance created using diffused window light--no help from pretty scenery.
Then I ask another of my all-time favorite questions:
"What question should couples ask their photographer that they don't know to ask?"Set a Savvy Schedule
Few couples think to ask their photographer about the quality of light on their wedding day.
"Ask your photographer when would be the best time and best light for portraits," Maggie suggests thoughtfully. "Take that into account and work your schedule around that."
Maggie strongly recommends adding extra time to your wedding schedule so that you don't feel rushed. If you are having your ceremony and reception at different locations, leave enough time for a photo session in a beautiful location for just the two of you.
"I demand time alone with my couples." Maggie laughs. "They get to bask in the excitement and joy...and I get to document that moment."
Quality of light is equally important at the reception. "Lots of candles create romantic, pretty light," Maggie told me. "Less overhead light is good."
At one wedding in particular, Maggie was forced to be really creative. "There was NOWHERE pretty to shoot Amy's portraits when she got ready and it was high noon, which is very hard unflattering light. I actually ended up bringing her into an alley! I blurred out the background and had her stand in front of the sun to create a beautiful back light."
You can see the stunning results of this creative "alley shoot" in Maurice & Amy's wedding slideshow.
Click to see Maurice & Amy's Wedding Slideshow.
Seeing Each Other For the First Time
It's become more popular for couples to take their photos before the wedding ceremony, especially if they don't have a gap of time between the ceremony and reception.
Maggie encourages her couples to consider this option rather than waiting until after the ceremony. "We set up a special place for you to see each other for the first time." I can tell Maggie is imagining that tender first vision by the dreaminess in her voice. "The level of excitement before the ceremony is so alive and palatable. It's so beautiful!...and I get to document that sweet moment."
When your photographs are done before the ceremony, it leaves you completely free to enjoy every moment of your wedding day without thinking about a schedule. Plus, the bride's hair and makeup is so fresh...and she hasn't cried yet.
"Coming up the aisle is still just as exciting." Maggie gushes. "And there is a relief after the ceremony that's beautiful, too."
Maggie is so enraptured with the emotions of the wedding day that it's clear to me how this translates to such emotional, romantic photographs. Somehow, she makes it all look easy!
Click to see more effortless elegance in Brian & Courtney's Wedding Slideshow.
Maggie Heinzel-Neel has a background in photography for magazine, corporate and newspaper clients. She loves weddings because they combine the best of photojournalism, fashion and fine art all in one!