Pre-wedding Photos Review at HN Wedding - Part 1
I just got back from my short road trip to Portland and Oregon Coast. It was nice and relaxing. I just wish it was a bit longer because one week isn’t really enough to satisfy my craving for vacation.
Anyways, yesterday Al and I went to HN Wedding to view our pre-wedding photos. I was really nervous from the time we finished the photoshoot till yesterday because I know I can’t do the faint smile and was worried that the pictures would turn out bad. However I was in for a surprise. Many of the photos turned out really well. Poses which I thought looked silly acutally look very normal with the setting and the lighting.
Vivian let us browsed throught all the photos first before we start to rate them and take out the ones we don’t want. The photos are raw files and haven’t been touched up. I really liked how they showed you original photos instead of ones where they had been touched up because then you can see what you really look like. Of the four different dresses/shoots, I think the first one (the one with the moulin rouge dress) was the only one that didn’t turn out too well. I was expecting that because it was our first session and both Al and I were too nervous to smile and we didn’t know how to pose and such. We did managed to pick three shots out of the stack thought.
The photos at Hycroft Mansion was one of the best. The natural lighting combined with the interior decor made it very vintage and classy looking. It was very tough trying to take out photos from the Hycroft session because almost all of then turned out very good. We also took some shots at the garden outside the house but since Al and I aren’t big fans of greens, we took most of it out to save room for the Gastown shots.
As I previously mentioned, the spot in Gastown which we had originally want to take the photos at were under construction. Part of it was even taken down. So we ended up just taking pictures along the streets, the side of the brick buildings and by the lamp posts. I was worried that it’d be kind of plain and look too much like tourist photos. Again I was surprised that it turned out a lot nicer that what I had in mind. For example, we too a couple of pictures at some staircase that’s particially hidden. It seems like some normal old staircase but in the photo it gives off this mysterious atmosphere.
The final shoot took place back at the studio and it was another wedding gown session. I think I looked like myself the most probably because of the hairstyle (it was down instead of up). We didn’t pick too many from this session because the outdoor photos were just way too nice to pass up. We picked a very tradition looking pose and another one with Ah Bu (a pug). The pictures with Ah Bu were all very cute. It’s very natural and he was looking at the camera for most of the shots.
It took us about three hours to narrow down pictures for the albums, the enlargement and the signing scroll. Al and I picked a very interesting picture for our enlargement. Most people would pick more tradition, portrait style shots for their enlargement for use at the reception. But we decided to go with a more artistic piece so that when we hang at our house, it would look more like a piece of artwork. Thanks Vivian for this nice suggestion.
After picking the photos, the frame for the enlargement and the album style we want, Vivian gave us some suggestions on what she thinks would need to be touched up. For example, Al is very skinny and his face has some blemish marks. So Vivian suggested that, aside from smoothing out the skin a little, it would be good to add a bit of puffiness to the cheeks so he doesn’t look too much like skin and bones. She also mentioned that most of the stuff in the photos can be corrected, such as dark spots in the under arm area, blemishes, moles, and even making you slimmer or fatter. There are two things that can’t be done by manipulating the photos and that is your smile and the feeling you are giving off from your expression. That’s why it’s very important that you practice smiling before going into a photoshoot!
I can’t wait to get my negatives so I can post some up. Hopefully I’ll be able to get them in 2-3 weeks, depending on when they finish with the preliminary layout of the album.
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Comments
Hi Serena,
Overall both Al and I are pretty happy with our pre-wedding photos. Although their service might be slightly higher comparatively, I did find HN very accommodating when changes are needed to suit our needs. We loved how the pictures turned out also. It took forever to pick the ones for the album.
We took ours in July because I’m a summer person (I love the heat). I saw some fall photos of this client that took pictures at Van Dusen Garden with the maple leaves and it was stunning. When I first saw those photos on the computer they looked good but not as good when it was printed. We were lucky enough to catch the client’s album before they picked it up and had a sneak peek at that particular photo. The red and orange colour were very vibrant but did not take the focus away from the couple. Instead it act almost like a frame around them.
Hi Jan,
I’m glad to hear that you saw another couple’s picture of fall photos. I”m thinking of goign with the fall because of the vibrant colors. Are you also going to go with them for the wedding day? Thanks so much again for the info and the reviews they were great help!
Serena
Hi Serena,
Yes I’ve already booked HN Wedding for wedding day photos as well. In fact I’ve also specified that Jackson be one of the photographers because I really enjoyed his pre-wedding photo pictures.
Have you decided on where you would like to take your photos?
I’m thinkin of vandusen because the pictures looked really pretty. I was thinking of Hycroft too but since we’re going to have our ceremony there, I thought we’d take those on the wedding day instead. How many places did you choose to go?
Serena
Wow I was thinking of having it at Hycroft also but I’m not a member so I couldn’t rent the place.
For out door shoot I only went to Hycroft and Gastown. We spent almost 3 hours at Hycroft. They were nice enough to let us stay a little later than usual. We took pictures inside and at the garden.
you actually don’t have to be a member. I’m still waiting for the paper work for the deposit for the date next year but the lady that gave us a tour didn’t mention anything about being a member. I know my friend had to join for a year when she had hers there. I think they’re still startin to relax a little on the rules. When’s your wedding by the way?
How were the studio shots? Sandy gave us a peak of it when she gave us a tour of HN upstairs but she said it will be different depending on what the couple want. Are you going to post more pictures? I can’t wait to see it.
Hi Serena,
My wedding will be in July 25, 2009, exactly one day after I took the pre-wedding photos. And wow, I didn’t know you don’t need a membership to have a wedding at Hycroft. I only read that you need it in their brochures.
The studio shots turned out pretty well also. I’ve posted on where we took with Ah Bu, the pug owned by Jackson. I’m sure you must have seen him around if you’ve visited HN. Al really liked the ones with me wearing the red dress. It’s really sexy. The style of the studio shot really depends on what you want. Jackson and Sandy both asked us what type of mood or emotion we wanted the photos to be (such as playful, cute, sexy, mysterious, etc.) before they set up the props in the studio.
Hi Jen,
Yeah, I think they just changed it this year. She didn’t mention anything about it when we took the tour. Also, We’re having ours on a friday and usually they don’t allow for day ceremonies because it’s open as club hours but they’re letting me have it from 11-3. So I think they’re starting to relax on the rules.
Thanks so much for posting the pictures! I met Sandy when I went to look at the packages and so on. So I’m also glad that you got to work with her and am happy. Your infos helped so much! Makes me feel a bit more relaxed cuz of some of the things I heard. Mind you it’s only two comments, but I loved it when I looked at their pictures compared to Charlie’s or Whiteday.
Serena
Hi Serena,
How’d you find Whiteday and Charlie? I’ve passed by Whiteday once when I was looking for a paper store out in New West but didn’t go into visit. As for Charlie, I would still like to see their albums because I heard they are one of the veterans in the business.
I don’t believe I’ve asked when your wedding day is. Are you having just the ceremony at Hycroft?
Hi Jan,
I found Whiteday’s quality wasn’t as good as HN. There was definitely more selection and better quality at HN. I had my photographer friend look at HN, Charlie’s and Whiteday, he said HN quality is definitely better. Mind you, my fiance and I just met with Bebbstudios and thinking of going with them instead. They do albums similar to chinese ones but I love the way they catch the emotions in their pictures. Very expensive but love the pictures. As for Charlie’s I think their pictures look very cheesy. I had a friend who did her album in shanghai, she had looked at Charlie’s and also said they aren’t as good as HN.
My wedding day is Aug 28,2009. We’re just having the ceremony there, can’t decide between the garden and the balcony that over looks the city. We’re going to have our reception at the Kirin by the starlight casino.
Hi Jan,
I’m glad to hear that you had a good experience. I just heard from a friend who had a friend that went there for the pre-wedding shoot and were not happy. I do agree with you that H and N had the best looking photos. Were you happy with the service and how all the pictures turned out? Did you take a spring or fall photoshoot?
Thanks,
Serena