By Tonya Tomory
As wedding photographers, we’ve probably all been there at least a time or two–or ten. Wedding photography doesn’t go as planned on the big day. You spend hours shooting this milestone event in a client’s life and unforeseen circumstances happen in which don’t produce the ideal photographs you dreamed to deliver to the happy couple. This is a one shot day, right? But what if there was an option to offer your bride and groom that WOULD deliver wedding photos they absolutely love and that you’re pleased with? The day itself may be a one-shot thing, but there is an alternative idea in giving a bride and groom an “after shot” at picture-perfect memories commemorating their “I Dos.”
Many unexpected things can happen on a wedding day that could constitute for planning an aftershoot at a later time. Such unfortunate situations I’ve experienced during weddings include unorganized clients, tardiness of wedding party members, lack of communication, unexpected changes in wedding day timelines, loss of time, and the worst, uncontrollable of them all: inclement weather. Any of these mishaps can happen on any wedding day, in any geographical area, at any time of the year. And just as your photographer heart is sinking with the bride’s hair-do and smile because the day is not as perfect as originally pictured, there IS an option to still capture beautiful shots of the newlyweds in celebration of their marriage!
An aftershoot is basically a session planned shortly after the wedding day in which couple puts on their wedding wardrobe for a session of formals—some even choose to recreate their hair and makeup looks. What I always explain to the couple during our initial consultations is that the most important series of photos I focus on planning during the wedding day are the bride/groom formals. Of course, the entire wedding day is of utmost importance of being captured. But at the end of the day, it comes down to who this day truly encompasses: the newlyweds. The formals are what are printed for the home, sent to family and friends, and symbolize the core reason of the celebratory event.
While an aftershoot does have a couple of disadvantages, they may be insignificant to the couple. Since a wedding aftershoot includes dressing back up in wedding day attire, this may inflict slight costs in re-renting tuxedos, vests, or other leased apparel pieces. It could also remit costs in dress cleaning, along with hair and make-up services for the bride. There may be the lost sentiment that the aftershoot photos weren’t taken on the exact wedding day. However, while these are a few slight issues with aftershoots, there are many advantages to them.
Wedding days can be stressful, rushed, and very time sensitive. Aftershoots don’t have to be! An aftershoot allows comfortable, less stressed time to prep for the shoot and enjoy the photography process in the ideal location at the ideal time of day for optimal lighting. This session can also allow for any appearance changes to be modified from the wedding day that the couple wishes to see. Maybe a change of hairstyle (or better hold from it falling throughout the big day) on the bride, or changes in makeup technique. An aftershoot is also a fantastic way to squeeze in one more wear of that expensive dress! Maybe the couple got married in a location that didn’t have a variety of scenery or location options for photography settings. Or maybe their venue just wasn’t exactly their style. This is an opportunity to design the aftershoot session to best fit the couple’s style and provide these additional “make-up” photos to add to their wedding day collection.
In my experience as a wedding photographer, I have luckily only had four weddings that didn’t quite go as planned. While I hesitated and was nervous at first to suggest an aftershoot to each of those couples, it quickly subsided when all happily obliged. And each aftershoot turned out fantastic! Every couple was very pleased with the end result and grateful for the suggestion of the aftershoot to provide more relaxed, style fitting, picture-perfect memories to their photo archives of their special days. The next time a wedding isn’t going so blissfully on your side of the camera, don’t be afraid to shoot your client the concept of an aftershoot!
Tonya Tomory is the primary photographer at Expressions Exposed Photography in Pittsburg, Kan., serving southeast Kansas and beyond! Check out more of her work here: www.expressionsexposedphotography.com