Interview - DWHA | "An Interview with Melanie Fiander"
I'm excited to share my interview with Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad about how I would approach photographing the upcoming Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Megan Markle! (Talk about a wedding a photographer could only dream about capturing!)
You can pick up your copy of the magazine in the U.K. in leading outlets, including Harrods and Selfridges, in London airports, and Sainsburys. International distribution includes UAE, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Monaco, Paris, Germany, Singapore, USA, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland and New Zealand And Barnes and Nobles Stores in the USA. To download the full interview, please click "here". To download a digital version of the magazine, please click "here".
Natural Light & The Golden Hour
Let's talk about natural light and a term photographer's use often: The Golden Hour. This time of day occurs around sunrise and sunset when the light is soft and golden. Because this light is so flattering, it’s the ideal time to take portraits outside! If you’re scheduling your bridal or group portraits for a wedding or are thinking of investing in an outdoor photo shoot, consider the time of day and how the natural light will affect your images.
Let's talk about natural light and a term photographer's use often, The Golden Hour!
This time of day occurs around sunrise and sunset when the light is soft and golden. Because this light is so flattering, it’s the ideal time to take portraits outside! If you’re scheduling your bridal or group portraits for a wedding or are thinking of investing in an outdoor photo shoot, consider the time of day and how the natural light will affect your images.
So when exactly is sunrise and sunset time throughout the year? I enjoy using SunCalc when figuring out when the sunrise and sunset times will be. When using SunCalc, be sure to enter the location of your photo shoot. Initially, you'll see the times for dawn, sunrise, solar noon, sunset, and dusk. The "more detailed" option will also point out night, astronomical twilight, nautical twilight, civil twilight, and the full daylight hours.
For morning sessions, I encourage clients to arrive at sunrise. The morning light can be soft up to 60 or 90 minutes after sunrise. Before you cross an early AM photo shoot off your list, it's also important to note that there are fewer tourists at the prime location spots during sunrise hours. Depending on the length of a photo shoot in the evening, I usually encourage clients to link up anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before sunset. Shooting through sunset time and into civil twilight time (or vice versa with a sunrise session) can also create some amazing images.
Throughout this blog post, you'll see photo examples that occurred during the Golden Hour. You'll notice an overall sense of soft lighting as well as the direction of the sunlight. You'll also notice some couples standing in the shade, which creates a soft light. A partly cloudy day can also be great for outdoor photos because the clouds diffuse the sunlight, making it a little softer.
Below are photo examples of what the natural light can look like on a sunny day outside of the Golden Hours. If your photo shoot is occurring on the beach or in a wide open space that doesn't provide shade, you may end up with a harder sense of light versus soft. The first batch images were shot mid-April before the Golden Hour between 4:00-5:30pm; sunset occurs around 7:45pm this time of year in Bermuda. The second batch of images was shot mid-May between 6:00-7:30pm; sunset time is around 8:15pm this time of year. Although sometimes it is simply not possible to schedule a photo shoot during the Golden Hours. So what then?
Great question; glad you asked! Consider scheduling your photo shoot as close to the Golden Hour as possible. Shooting at solar noon and surrounding daylight hours will yield hard light and is not advised. You may also want to consider your location choice; does your location choice offer shade to stand under for diffused light? Be sure to explain your concerns to your photographer and get their ideas on how to capture the best natural light. In some situations, a flash can be used to fill in the shadows. However, that's a topic for another blog post!
Boudoir Photo Shoot ~ Sunday, February 11, 2018
Valentine’s Day is just around de corner! Lookin’ for a gift for ya honey? Come on in for a Home Stylized Boudoir Session on Sunday, February 11 with fun and fancy vintage furniture. Sessions are 90 minutes long and include professional hair by Stylz by Traci and make-up by Chrysalis Cosmetics along with the high-resolution images shot by moi!
Be sure to reserve your session today! For more details, please e-mail me at info@fianderfoto.com.
Awards - WeddingWire Couples' Choice 2018
WOW! I’m super jazzed to be selected as one of the WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Awards for 2018 as a Photography Vendor in Bermuda! This award is for those in the top 5% of the wedding business! A special thank you to my clients ~ this award is for all of you! I also want to congratulate all the local Bermudian businesses who won the award for their category. Cheers!
Print Sale: Offer Expires December 25!
Any “Game of Thrones” fans out there? Winter. Is. Coming. Heck… for many of us, winter is here and to celebrate, I’m hosting a print sale for my clients! Grab a cup of hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, log into your online gallery, and use the promo code YAYWINTER2017 to save 15% on print and canvas wrap orders. Enjoy the winter holidays!
Any “Game of Thrones” fans out there? Winter. Is. Coming. Heck… for many of us, winter is here and to celebrate, I’m hosting a print sale for my clients! Grab a cup of hot cocoa, cozy up by the fire, log into your online gallery, and use the promo code YAYWINTER2017 to save 15% on print and canvas wrap orders. Enjoy the winter holidays!
Offer Expires 12.25.17
Sale: Wedding Photos - Black Friday Arrives Early!
Everyone loves a sale and Black Friday has come early this year! If you're a 2018 bride or groom, be sure reserve your big day before Black Friday, November 25, to save 10% on any of the Wedding Day Photo Packages! For details, please e-mail info@fianderfoto.com.
Everyone loves a sale and Black Friday has come early this year! If you're a 2018 bride or groom, be sure to reserve your big day before Black Friday, November 25, to save 10% on any of the "Wedding Day" Photo Packages that offer full day coverage! For details, please e-mail info@fianderfoto.com.
Please note: this offer cannot be paired with other promos or specials.
Engagement Photos: 5 Reasons to Book
You're engaged! Yay! By now, the confetti has been thrown, the bubbly has been popped, your best friend has mapped out the bars you'll go to for your hen night or stag party, and now the first big question arrives: "should we book an engagement shoot?” or “should we book an engagement shoot with our wedding photos as a package?" Decisions... decisions... Let's check out some reasons why it's a fabulous idea to book an engagement shoot.
You're engaged! Yay! By now, the confetti has been thrown, the bubbly has been popped, your best friend has mapped out the bars you'll go to for your hen night or stag party, and now the first big questions arrive: "should we book an engagement shoot?” or “should we book an engagement shoot with our wedding photos as a package?" Decisions... decisions... Let's check out some reasons why it's a fabulous idea to book an engagement shoot:
(1) It's a good opportunity for you and your fiancé to "break the ice" and spend time with your photographer before your wedding day. This will allow you both to have an understanding of the photographer's shooting style and to feel more comfortable in front of their camera on your big day. It's also a great way to learn different posing techniques. (2) Your engagement photos can serve a very practical use. They can be printed on your Save the Dates, Wedding Website, Invitations, Thank You Cards, and/or Guest Book. Personalizing these items can make the whole wedding experience a bit more fun for everyone! Your engagement photos also make for great gifts to family or friends.
(3) Your engagement photos can be sent out to your local newspaper or school alumni magazine to announce your good news! (4) The time right after you've become engaged is special; full of hope, love, and ideas for the future! Use this time to capture these new and happy emotions! Although these same ecstatic feelings will be photographed on your wedding day - that day will move very quick! The engagement session is when you and your fiancé can really soak it all in!
(5) Last but not least: it's a fun activity to do with your honey! Along with receiving the engagement photos, you'll be able to "check off" another little adventure with your fiancé. You'll want the backdrop for your pictures to look awesome, which gives you a good excuse to plan a trip to a fun new spot! Many times my clients tell me, "if it wasn't for this shoot, we may not have visited this exact beach" or "fort" or "park". Particularly if you're visiting from away, an engagement shoot can be a great way to explore a beautiful place with a photographer who knows the area well! Regardless of whether or not you're going to book an engagement shoot separate from your wedding photo package, there are lots of good reasons to have engagement photos taken!
A special "shout out" to Anna & Thomas; the lovely couple seen in the photos! These two flew down to Bermuda to plan their June 2018 wedding at the Fairmont Southampton. Between meetings with their event planner and hangout sessions with friends, Anna and Thomas met up with me for a sunrise engagement shoot at Horseshoe Bay Beach. From Horseshoe, we went to Gibbs Lighthouse, and ended our "photo tour" at Jobson's Cove! I'm looking forward to shooting their wedding next year!
Mini Sessions: Grape Bay Beach on 11/18 & 11/19
It’s that time of year again; mini photo session time! Hooray! I’ll be holding the mini sessions at Grape Bay Beach in Padget on November 18 and 19th. Sessions include the high-resolution photos delivered within 48 hours via a private online gallery for $250. You can have your photos just in time to order your holiday cards! Be sure to reserve your time slot today; e-mail for details: info@fianderfoto.com.
Sunday, 11/19 – 3:30pm
Sunday, 11/19 – 4:00pm
Sunday, 11/19 – 4:30pm
Sunday, 11/19 – 5:00pm
Saturday, 11/18 – 3:30pm
Saturday, 11/18 – 4:00pm
Saturday, 11/18 – 4:30pm
Saturday, 11/18 – 5:00pm
Gift certificates are also available!
Flash Sale: 2018 Weddings
Calling all 2018 Brides and Grooms: for the next 48 hours, the "Wedding Day" photo packages are $200 off! E-mail Melanie at "info@fianderfoto.com" to learn about details on how to officially book and reserve your 2018 wedding date at a discounted rate!
Wedding: Alyse and Stevie at Coral Beach in Bermuda
I had the pleasure of photographing Alyse Hanrahan and Stevie Moses’ wedding on May 6, 2017, in Bermuda at the Coral Beach Club! What was more amazing was after spending the day with these two love birds, I also had the chance to get to know them a little bit. The bride and groom were originally from Massachusetts although are currently living in Russia, where Stevie is a professional ice hockey player for the SKA Saint Petersburg team of the Kontinental Hockey League; dubbed one of the fastest skaters on earth! Alyse is an accomplished make-up artist, with a seemingly carefree personality and infectious laugh. After seeing photographs of Alyse's make-up work on Instagram, I knew the “getting ready” photos would be fun! Perhaps one of the most romantic things I learned about Alyse and Stevie was that they had been dating for 11 years and were high school sweethearts! Check out all the details of this elegant wedding in the post.
I had the pleasure of photographing Alyse Hanrahan and Stevie Moses’ wedding on May 6, 2017, in Bermuda at the Coral Beach Club! What was more amazing was that after spending the day with these two love birds, I also had the chance to get to know them a little bit! Perhaps one of the most romantic things I learned about these two was that they had been dating for 11 years and were high school sweethearts!
After booking me as the wedding photographer, I found out that Alyse was an accomplished make-up artist. After seeing her make-up work on Instagram, I knew the photos from the “getting ready” stage would be awesome! Alyse's older sister - the matron-of-honor and also an amazing makeup artist - did the bride's makeup and hair! The wedding dress itself was a surprise not only for the groom but also for the bridal party and family members! The dress was complemented not only with Alyse's stunningly beautiful engagement ring, but also with crystal bangles and matching earrings. In honor of Alyse's dear friend Chelsea, the bride also wore her friend's ruby red ring.
Stevie is a professional ice hockey player - dubbed one of the fastest skaters on earth by his groomsmen - and is currently playing for the SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia. Stevie has also played in the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League throughout his career, although the décor for the wedding was not centered on "hockey knick-knacks”. Stevie’s mom later told me that he wanted their wedding day to reflect both him and Alyse as a couple, which I found to be quite romantic! Stevie had chosen his father to be the best man and his cousin and friends to be his groomsmen.
Once Alyse & Stevie were dressed and ready to tie the knot, they did so on the Wedding Lawn at the Coral Beach Club! With the white carpet laid out, the bridal party made their way to the front, took their places, and awaited the bride's procession. Escorted down the aisle by her mother, Alyse was a radiant bride; laughing throughout the ceremony. Sealing their vows with a kiss, the couple made their first joyous steps forward as husband and wife!
With the ceremony ending, the couple joined the bridal party and family members for portraits on the lawn. The bouquets were stunningly beautiful and were created by Flowers by GIMI. Everyone was "all smiles" through these photos!
Before joining the cocktail hour, Stevie and Alyse paused for their Bridal Portraits. With the resort being known for its unique architecture, gardens, cedar trees, and putting green, we made our way all around Coral Beach's property.
Despite the windy day, the couple, their family, and friends all enjoyed the cocktail hour on the patio overlooking the South Shore. Stevie and Alyse joined in on several group photos with their guests; all of whom had traveled to Bermuda to help them celebrate. Perhaps one of the more funny moments was during a group photograph of Stevie and several of his friends who are also professional hockey players; Alyse jumped right into the mix!
As the guests moved into the reception room, they were greeted by beautiful tables which were decorated with floral centerpieces and a cream-colored wedding cake. After the bride and groom’s first dance, speeches by the matron-of-honor and one of the groomsmen, and an amazing meal, the wedding party danced the night away! Please join me in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Moses!
