9 Tips on Pre Wedding Shoot

2:57 PM Felicia Grace 40 Comments

Over the years of eating, I found the person who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The best part is, that he eats everything! I'm a very picky eater. Hah!
When it was time we thought of settling down, the oh-so-culture of must-have Pre Wedding Photography was in mind.

I'll be writing down some tips for those who are wanting to get their photoshoot done. Also, my experience with U Wang Studio.



1. What is Your Style/Concept of Shooting?
One must know what they like and do not like. Every studio is different and unique in their own way. Choose a style both you and your fiance would prefer and scout from there on!

With Ipoh being so famous for their food and scenery, I did not know how and where to start at all.
I'm a big fan of GrimFilm and when I saw the video of that Korean Studio, Wonkyu, I was in awe.
Knowing the price is gonna be crazy, the silly me went and asked for quotation.
Well obviously the price was through the roof but Yuen from Wonkyu Malaysia was very kind even though she knew I was not gonna sign with her, she gave me advice on what to do on finding the pre wedding studio that suited my budget. *Thumbs up for customer service*



2. Understanding The Studio
Always check their reviews! Ask around from friends who has done from the same studio. Try and dig up info on how long has the studio ran, that shows their experiences. What do they provide in their package?

So back to zero, I started searching around on Facebook of the bridal shops I could find in Ipoh.
U Wang, this name, has always been heard around and it was known for being "GOOD". I knew it was good by the mouths of other people, but how good is good, I wasn't sure.
There were many more that I've found, and so I facebook message a few.
Guess what, U Wang was the one with the fastest reply! They send me a pdf file of the package and rates that they have and asked if we could pop in at their studio to discuss further details. Which is very much needed because there's bound to be error on communication problems through messages. And so we booked a date and went to them.



3. Attitude
Once you walk in a studio, you can automatically see the attitude they would give you. If those macam tak mau layan je, forget it la. What makes you think they will serve you better later?

Upon reaching U Wang, with its welcoming feeling of decorated frame walls at the door, we were welcomed with a smile from the very cheerful Elaine. She had us sat down, offering us water and started off to discuss further. Everything was laid out before us, from top to bottom, what needs to be surcharge and what needs not to be. Honesty, I would say, is what I'm looking for.
We were mostly 80% sure but we needed to know if we picked the right studio, so we told her we'll come back at the end of the day after questioning other studios.

We went to one that was quite near, cheaper I would say, but too blend for me, in terms of their pictures.
Another studio in old town was what my church friends had done their shoot there.
Too. Much. Talking. Ohh my goodness, the consultant talked for 2 hours! Honestly. *rolls eyes* Even though they had more dresses, more backgrounds to choose from, I was just super turn off, couldn't wait to leave. It was more like about them, than about us.
The last studio we went to check out was only RM 2000! But well you know, cheap doesn't mean its good. And well, the saying was pretty much 100% accurate.
We went back to U Wang immediately and signed their package, paid the deposit and left.


4. Getting to know you
Does the studio try to get to understand what you are looking for? If you don't have any ideas, did the studio gave ideas to you that represents both you and your fiance? 

What was best from U Wang is that they have you to fill in a survey on google form, which would help them very much in understanding us on how we want our pre wedding concept to be. So basically you just tick pictures and fill in your details and what props you want to use.
Next, was the discussion! I love this part of U Wang. Most studios or bridal shop do not have a face to face meet with the photographer. Because Ah Jit was on a shoot out, Ah U, the man himself did the discussion with us. He talked us through on what we like and do not like from the survey we participated. Asked us again to double confirm everything. Which is good because it shows that they wanna make sure.

Then he asked us what we want our concept to be, I said I want one to be in the forest, and one with lights all around. We email them pictures beforehand as well and we talked about it. I was very much inspired by Miss Tam Chiak's Pre Wedding Shoot, with fresh flowers and fairy lights all around! Super chio! Because of budget wise, we could not have so many fresh flowers and we need a lot of fairy lights to produce that kind of effect.
So, Ah U did say it might not work, and I was honestly pretty bumped out. He said most of the pictures I've seen is most likely during sunset, but in my heart, I wanted it to be in total darkness but then again, it might not work. He did suddenly suggested to have a swing. I was like aye? Not a bad idea! Ah U said they will scout around to see which place is the best and we'll know on that day. So we put our trust in their hands.


5. Make Up
Always Always check with them if their makeup provides ampules and fake eye lashes! 
Some will extra charge you. Better ask! Even for hair accessories.

U Wang basically provided everything for makeup. I didn't even need to stress up about it. Just sat there and let the makeup artist do her magic. 



6. Dresses
MUST check out their dresses! Ask if you can have a quick glimpse through. 

On the same day of the discussion was me picking out my dress! So I chose 4 dresses, 3 whites and one sort of champagne-ish. I honestly did not quite like what they had in store probably because I've seen too much of pinterest and had high expectations. But I was able to choose with the help of my trustworthy fashion police, Jean. Hah.


7. Have Your Checklist
Remember to have a certain check list in hand before your photoshoot. You can actually google them.
(a) Wear blouse that has buttons so it can be easily taken off without messing up your hairdo and makeup.
(b) Bring bottles of water with straws inside
(c) Snacks and energy bar
(d) Socks and shoes for guys
(e) Nubra and heels for girls
(f) Slippers
(g) Safety Pins

Elaine, our consultant, was very nice in reminding us few days before our photo shooting day. We were given a checklist as well during the discussion on what to do before or on that day of the photo shooting. I think this is whats needed. We never done a pre wedding photoshoot before, obviously, we wouldn't know what to do beforehand. With a checklist given, it was really helpful!


8. What to expect
Always do not have too high of an expectation. If it rains, just go with the flow. Do not let any small tiny things matter. Enjoy the shoot throughout the day!

On the day of the photoshoot, we arrived at 10.30am to start our makeup. We brought all our props; Tepee tent, Candles, Lanterns, Rose petals, etc. Ah Jit, Oliver and Ah Kuen took some of the props and went off first while we were having our makeup done by the very talented Wei Mun. At 12.30pm, we went off to our first scene shoot at Klebang Forest. We reached there around 12.45pm from the studio and we were told that there was another couple from another studio doing the shoot there! I was like aiya, because I thought it was gonna be very long but well, we only waited for like 3-4 minutes and we came out of the car and walked like 30 steps into the forest.
When we reached the scene, they had it set up in such a lovely way! I was pretty blown away. Because our tent, which was made by my fabulous intern, July (yes, her name is a month), is high and big enough to cover the other couple behind, we proceeded with our shoot. Look up, look down, look left, look right, look at your husband, look at your flower, look at your wife, look at me; were all the words Ah Jit, the photographer, said throughout the shoot. He would have little laughs behind his camera as well. We thank that God made leaves out of trees, because we had shades with streams of sunshine on our faces. Not too hot. I thought it was a pretty well done shoot!

We had our first shoot done around 2.00pm. We were asked to have our lunch first then we'll continue onto the 2nd - 5th scene of the studio indoor shoot. We honestly felt quite relax and were not tired or rushed at all. As from what I heard from friends who shot in other studios, they barely had time to even nimble on a piece of bread! So we were very thankful indeed!

Once we got our hair done and with a different outfit, we walked into the studio's indoor shoot. You know how they say they have like lots of different concepts, walls, etc and being the dumdass person I am, I always thought one wall one feature la! Then counted how could it be when in a room there's only 4 walls. Until we walked in then only we realized, the "oooooo" sound came out of my mouth. Go and you'll find out what I'm trying to say here. *teehee* Throughout the indoor shoot, it was pretty much calm and there was air-conditioned!

By evening time, we were getting ready for our last shoot out. We were told to get there and when we arrived, they said it wasn't ready so we waited in the car. Mind you, we always thought it would be what was discussed, during sunset on a swing. But at that time we waited, sunset was already gone and it was night time. Suddenly, the lights lit up the tree and I was beyond amaze!  I was so so speechless. It was already so tiring smiling the whole day but when I saw this amazing concept that they got it ready, I couldn't help but smiling all the way till the end of the shoot!



9. After sales service
This is the trickiest part. Some studios will take their own sweet time in getting your photos ready. So always go back to basic number 2, check their reputation and asks friends beforehand.

After the shoot, Elaine, our consultant was keeping track on getting the photographer to edit the pictures in time. Before editing starts, she showed us the pictures and asked us to see if edited in this kinda of light and sharpen in this way would be okay for us. I think that was really well done, because it showed us what non-edited and edited pictures look like side by side, and what we can expect out of it.

She run through with us twice to make sure we are okay with it. Such as, this picture my jawline gone, or the light is too bright. She noted it all done and let the photographer edit it again and show us the final product. Even with the photo album, how it is align and what words to put. She has done it tremendously well to suit our needs.


Overall, we would say we were extremely pleased with U Wang Studio. The amount of effort they put in, you can really see it. Thank you very much for making our dream come true. I'm sure you guys would love to see the outcome yea? Here you go! They also did a Behind The Scenes for us too! Enjoy!