Reception Hall Family Portraits

I love photo booths at weddings!!  What a fun, retro idea it is to have your guests crowd into the booth with some wacky and creative costumes.  Wedding receptions are the perfect atmosphere for these images.  It reminds me of when disposable cameras used to be at every table.  However, these booths aren't ideal for family portraits.

I offer another type of service that is the complete opposite, but just as cool.  I call it Portraits at the Reception.  Very often there is no time to provide guests or non immediate family members with family photos after the ceremony.  Usually we finish up immediate family and then it's wedding party group photos and images of the main attraction - the bride and groom.  When I arrive at the hall, it's time for detail shots (cake, decorations, etc.) and soon we are into first dance and party time.  Very often guests want to take some nice portraits during this rare opportunity when they are all dressed up together.  Very often this is the one and only time certain combinations of people will be together like this.  

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Grandparents pose for a portrait together at their grand daughter's wedding reception at Casa Maria in Dyer, Indiana.

For wedding season 2014, I've added several improvements.  My associate photographer will now handle the portrait duties while I attend to the event.  This will enable our backdrop and professional studio lighting to be at the outer edges of the room or even in the hallway and there are no worries that we will miss any of the party or impromptu speeches, etc.  We will also be able to keep the portrait area open for 90 minutes instead of an hour so as to not disappoint anyone.

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A mom poses with her son for a portrait against a black backdrop at a wedding reception banquet hall.

All of the images will be up in an online gallery in their own category for viewing and ordering.  As you can tell from the images here, we use really soft and flattering lighting for a studio type of look.  It's a really nice gift from the bride and groom to all of their guests and people really love it.

Studio Portraits at the Wedding Reception

One of the most popular add on features of my wedding packages are Portraits at the Wedding Reception.  This makes for a great gift from the bride and groom to their guests.  Imagine family members who rarely see each other gathering at your wedding and reminiscing about old times. Sure, someone will get them together for a snapshot.  However, a professional photo with studio lighting and background will make a keepsake that they will cherish forever.

There is never any charge to the guests for taking these shots.  It's simply an add on to any of the wedding packages.  

When my assistant and I arrive at the hall, we will look for a spot and set up the backdrop along with lights, softboxes and posing stools.  We won't begin taking any of these shots until after the major events have passed - cake cutting, first dance, garter and bouquet toss, etc.  We will ask the DJ to announce that we will start taking portraits.  If there is action on the dance floor or any other event, we excuse ourselves from our line and cover the action.  Once we are sure we have our shots, we go back to covering the fun of the dance floor.

These portraits at the wedding reception are geared toward couples or small groups of three at the most.  The don't take too much time and folks usually aren't left waiting for long.  I often end up photographing the weddings of engaged couples after I have taken their photo at their friends wedding reception.

I often say "give the gift of photography" and your guests will certainly appreciate this gesture. It will further ensconce your event as the "wedding of the century" in their minds.

Guests Portraits at the Reception Hall

This image was taken at the Mendez Wedding a few years back.  They purchased an add on to my Wedding Package called Portraits at the Reception.  It's great, because for one low fee you can treat your guests to studio quality portraits during your reception.  There is no sitting fee at all. Imagine guests from out of town mingling with folks they haven't seen in years and being able to get a great quality shots together.  It's an opportunity that may never happen again.  

The only caveat is that some reception halls have this prohibited in their contract.  You sometimes may have to negotiate this point and make it clear to them that no cash is exchanging hands on site and that their facility is not being used by the photographer to make extra cash.  I understand that some photographers will have a register going to charge the guests.  This will NOT happen with SBV Photography.  This is simply a complimentary service courtesy of the bride and groom.  

Many facilities have no problem with this at all.  It's just something to look for when picking out your hall.  I'd be glad to assist you in securing this service at your reception hall.