Help!! Location indecision for TTD shots (Ocho Rios area)

Vikki · April 16, 2009

Ok - I hope I'm posting this in the right place since it's kind of a joint question about location and photography... Rather than drive my photographer crazy with my pre-wedding neurosis I thought I'd try and get some help here!

I've booked the photographer I really like and she has offered to split our time into 2 sessions-this is not something she normally offers for the package we're booking. However I'm trying to weigh the following considerations into making the decision to do it all in one day or split it up. (The package I'm purchasing is a total of 5 hours.) The resort we're staying at is Couples Sans Souci.

1). The resort has a $500 vendor fee. I am having my TA check and see if they would double charge us for two sessions or if another kind of fee like a day pass would apply for that second session.

2). If there is an additional fee for her coming back the next day how would I find out about other possible locations for the shoot?

3). Our wedding party is really small - only 4 guests are being invited and we haven't scheduled a reception so it's probably realistic to have the pre-wedding, ceremony and TTD shots in the same day.

4). Our wedding time is 4:00pm so if we don't split the session and have her there from 3:00 to 8:00 we might get some beautiful near sunset shots. From the almanac I looked at I think we should be close.

5). Artistic expression, use of light and shadow and creativity is very important to me in the photos. From what little I know of photography lighting is very important. Will having the TTD pictures in the late afternoon/early evening light provide a better background than morning light?

6). Our parents fly out the next morning so we can start our honeymoon :-) If we're out doing TTD shots in the morning that might make it difficult to see them off-and I think it will be important for us to be able to do that since they don't all live close to us.

So what do I do Do it all in one session after the wedding, take advantage of the potential for early sunset lighting and not conflict with our family's departure OR split the shoot up which will probably result in finding an alternate location (which may have better photo opps than the resort), take the pictures at a different time of day and conflict with the family leaving?

Oh-and then I have to consider hair/make-up for a second shoot.

Ugh-reading that I realize I am way over-analyzing this but I just want everything to work out and pictures are so important....

latricej919 · April 16, 2009

Well, I too am having location issues. But fortunately my photographer will be staying at the Riu with us. So I will have her there for photos on the wedding day. I am trying to decide where to do my TTD session. Two places I have heard are the Falls and Coyoba Gardens. I am also concerned with doing the photos first thing in the A.M. following the wedding b/c I will likely be tired, and what if I look a mess, plus I may not want to get up early. I have to get those photos though. Geeeesh!

Dmitri_Markine · April 19, 2009

Most resort can wave the fee if they are staying at the same resort. From my experience that fee should include the TTD session,but you should check with your hotel.

You can let your photographer decide on the times and everything related to it. Your job is to relax and enjoy it. This will show on the pictures.

Sun gets up high really fast. In the morning before 7-9am is the best time. Worst time is when the sun is right above you.

Sunsets and Sunrises are not very easy to photograph. You have to use additional lights. It takes a skill and experience. If your photographer been doing it for many years, I am sure, he/she will know what to do and will have all the extra equipment for it.

Again, talk to your photographer.

latricej919 · April 20, 2009

Well this will be my photographers first time in Jamaica, as well as mine. So it will be pretty much up to me to determine where I think I should do the TTD. I am in the same boat as Vikki, having to get up early the day after my wedding for the session, don't know how I will manage to celebrate without having my hair messed up and looking tired....