What every Bride really wants on her wedding day – part two

We have established that all girls want to be perfectly beautiful on their wedding day and that perfection does not exist in reality. Which spells disaster. So.. what can go wrong? The list is endless and you should expect the unexpected.

Due to stress, girls loose and pick up weight. Okay, few of us want to gain weight but why would it be upsetting if we loose weight? Well because if you are wearing a strapless dress, the dress will fall down. But it could be a number of things, which can turn a blushing bride into a raging bull. Solution? Make sure your photographer can touch up, be realistic and develop a sense of humour.








Seeing each other before the ceremony

Traditionally we are not supposed to have sex before marriage either but I am yet to meet a virgin bride. Yes, even in Italy. So why stick to other traditions when an alternative will really ease the stress off of your day. By doing your pictures
beforehand means that you will have much more time to enjoy your party. A party which has the limitation of time. I recommend shooting as many of the family and couples portraits as possible, before the ceremony. That way we can spend fifteen minutes in the sunset light taking great portraits and any groups not taken before. If anything goes wrong from rain to a bride twisting her ankle, it’s mostly done. And if nothing goes wrong all the more time to shoot gorgeous reportage images



Capturing Romance without being cheesy – part two

Every couple is different and some need very little posing. But for example a bride with a huge nose cannot expect not to be posed AND have no profile pictures. It makes me smile when brides request no posing AND no profile pictures.

By showing me pictures before your wedding of what you like, you make it much easier for me to make you happy. It also helps you to clarify, for yourself what you like in terms of images, posing and style. So many brides say they want reportage but when I ask them which weddings they like most on my website they prefer the ones where there is lots of posing.






Tips to ensure a bride’s comfort on her wedding day – part 01


1.The white umbrella

If you don’t buy a white umbrella, I promise you will need one. I am not a superstitious person but every time I bring an umbrella to a wedding it never rains. When I have forgotten, we have ended up being stuck with the most hideous umbrella’s imaginable.

2.Make sure you have something gorgeous to put on if it gets cold.

I could not count the times I have been to a wedding and the bride has the shakes from being cold. Often the passing of the stress of the preparations causes a strange kind of exhaustion and strangely this makes my lovely ladies in white feel the cold all the more. The English and Irish brides seem to suffer from this lack of preparation the most. Perhaps coming from cold countries they expect Italy to be hot, but these days one can never tell.


Introducing Zoe

Zoe is drawn to the excitement and drama of weddings, and her eye for detail ensures that nothing is missed. It also helps that she is a true romantic at heart! She has a special interest in emotive portraiture and reportage photography, capturing those candid moments that make the day so memorable.

Zoe – After graduating from film school, Zoe worked in television for ten years in Australia and the UK. She also trained as a makeup artist, working in both fashion and bridal before deciding to pursue her passion for photography.

She is inspired by the films of Hollywood’s heyday; Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, An Affair To Remember. She aims to bring the same classic glamour to your wedding day. Zoe loves collecting 1950s dresses and home wares, from flying ducks through to vintage aprons. When she’s not snapping, you can find her baking, listening to country music and hanging out with her two oddball Persians, Dolly and Mr Boots.



Taking tranquilizers on your wedding Day

SO what is it about us humans that we can’t stand feeling anything except comfortable. We not all humans but many of us. We just want a little something to take off the edge. Well the sad thing is you will spend the second half of your life trying to remember the edge and how it felt. The emotions which happen on a wedding day will never again be repeated. The nerves, excitement and surely a bit of drama. Why would one like to numb those feeling you will never feel again?

It’s wise to remember even natural tranquilizers and alcohol are not friends. You could end up in the bathroom barking at the toilets or even sexier would be a Courtney Love relapse imitation. Not pretty girls, stay off those pills unless your doctor said so. And if you MUST, get therapy and don’t drink on the day.

Sample of a good schedule: Part one

This is for a wedding in June or July in Ravello. Held in the Cathedral.

3:00 Boys get ready at Cimbrone
3:30 Photographer shoots putting on of ties and sharing a toast. And some loose Tarentino style black and white groups and portraits.
4:00 Photographer leaves and boys go back in the pool – hair and make up starts
4:05 The photographer starts with the bride (also staying at Cimbrone)
5:00 The groom leaves with his friends and family to the piazza with a second photographer – shooting reportage
5:30 The bride can have a few portraits and groups with friends and family
6:15 Bride leaves for church
6.30 Church

My Favourite colour schemes.

  1. From Lavender to Deep Purple.
  2. Beiges and Creams with touches of Black.
  3. A multitude of crazy colours but having a theme, all pastels, all darks or shade of pink.
  4. Shocking Pink with Baby Pink.
  5. Greens and Whites are pretty
  6. Yellows, I hate to say it, they have crept into my heart, especially bright and pastel yellow
  7. Never been much of a fun of Reds for weddings unless the bride wears Red shoes
  8. I love Black and Xream, bridesmaids dresses are so stylish in Black

Shorter, lighter, easier, prettier and sexier.

What’s next? Shorter… finally you can walk where you want to, be cooler (pardon the pun) and not look like a cake with icing. I think if I see another corset with metal fish bones I will cry. Girls they bend and all those bits that are holding you in when we start off, will be divided in half and look horrible. At the very least it will give you stomach ache. Big dress equals big heat wave. Less enjoyment, more sweat, more runny make up and it will be dirty by the time you exit the church. You will spend a lot of the time during the day trying to keep it clean. All in vain. Watch this space for our small collection of wedding dresses to be released early next year.

Boats are sexy

Boats are one form a transport you could consider for your wedding day.
On a boiling day in summer, a boat ride is about the only form of transport tolerable. It gives amazing light on the faces and gorgeous scenery. It’s entertaining and relaxing at the same time. Then you can go to places, which are normally hard to get to. SO much better than a bus ride. If you want great couple shots even a tiny fisherman boat can be fabulous. Though unless you are comfortable with allowing for loads of couple shots and TIME (the demon that chases us), I don’t recommend doing couple alone shots on a boat on the actual day. It takes time and guests don’t like the couple to be away for too long. Unless of course you are eloping.

Time waits for no bride.

We always run out of time. No matter how small the wedding and if a bride runs twenty minutes late we spend the rest of the day trying to catch up. Time is the most important, unrelenting, consistent and annoying element of any wedding day. Good pictures take time, even reportage works best during daylight as do groups. Historical venues have time limits and restrictions. Food is a religion in Italy and it’s a sin to keep pasta waiting. Churches and town halls are often fully booked (i.e more than one ceremony per day) during the summer and so your ceremony will be rushed along if you are late. Sad as it is, unless you are eloping your wedding day will be run on a tight schedule. And I recommend you are a little early if you want to have a good time.

Choosing (or not choosing) Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

  1. For people that you can’t include, create other important roles e.g giving a toast, a reading, giving out ceremony programs, party organising….
  2. Although in some cases it can be hard, try and select a group of people that all get along reasonably well.
  3. Try and have matching numbers in your bridal party e.g 3 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen
  4. Choose reliable, resourceful and calm people – you will be relying on them

Hints on Guest speeches

Choose very wisely who you ask to speak.

If you have lots of people (family or friend groups) that you want to speak, see if they can’t get together and present one speech on behalf of the group .

Don’t force people who you know aren’t confident speakers to give a speech. If they refuse on these grounds, it’s not because they love you any less. Perhaps they know they are doing you a favour.

Give time limits to people, and ask them to stick to them. Long speeches are never fun for anyone, and can put a real stop to the flow of your evening.

Funny speeches work, as long as no one is offended along the way – there is nothing better than a dining room full of people rolling on the fall laughing, as long as they are ALL laughing.

Ask guests for paper copies to for keepsakes (even rough ones)

Crazy wedding dress ideas for the eccentric bride – part 03

Intermix – have a look at the white dresses in their evening section

BlueFly – once again look under dresses and select white

Eluxury – again expensive but marked down and loads of options

SHopBop- check out Chloe’s Tennis dress, could be very Jacquie O

Yoox – a wide range – have a look at the FERRE short pastel dress

Yes and I completely admit to being in therapy for my internet shopping addition. Imagine my husband, Gianni, won’t even let me have a credit card in my name. Probably just as well, so have a bit of a shop for me will you.

If I did my own makeup would that sound crazy? – part one

Recently one of my favorite brides (yes I do have favorites), asked me the following question…

“I will even take some lessons to learn, my only fear is that apparently for the photos I have to wear makeup so I don’t shine. The problem is I don’t wear makeup ever, and I only go natural, so my fear is that if I do it myself I will look funny. I will get darker until the wedding so, is it important to invest in a makeup person?”

My reply to follow tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Looking at the camera.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a portrait look natural is to have the subject not looking at the camera. The best is to completely ignore your photographer, unless asked to do otherwise. This does not mean you have to turn your back on them, but by not making eye contact with the lens you will help create natural images.

What can I do to ensure that my photos will be great? – Part 02

It is also very important to give me ample time. The worst thing is to be running late and for the day to be a huge rush. The best time is in between the church and the reception. The more time I have, the better the photos will be. At this time we can take any group photos you like, but also some with just the bride and groom. This can be a great time for you to catch your breath and enjoy some time alone together.

What can I do to ensure that my photos will be great? – Part 01

It is important to realise that my level of photographic skill remains the same for each wedding. What makes the difference between “good” and “great” photos is when my clients have gone that extra mile. I love it when my clients play along with me, rather than try to hide from the camera.

The video production and editing

Our videos usually play between 30 and 40 minutes after they have been edited. Most clients ask us to keep them to this length, as they don’t want them too long. But if you want it to be longer, say one hour, you can just let us know. You are also given all the original footage on small cassettes. A nice little touch is that you are also able to select the music you want playing in the background – why not choose your favourite songs?

Do we get to keep the negatives?

As I shoot digital, the negatives are essentially a DVD. As mentioned above, if you wish to purchase the DVD with the best 350 images of the day, this will be your set of negatives, which you can use to print and reprint as you wish. I also keep copies of the photos on DVD as a backup both for myself and for you.

Choosing the Traditional White album

While white albums are traditionally beautiful, we do try to steer people away from them – only because they become worn and dirty so quickly. If you do have your heart set on a white album, however, we do stock them – you might just have to invest in a pair of “album viewing gloves”. We are also now producing a coffee table digital album which can be white and laminated. A very modern funky effect and it’s wipe able. For those girls who won’t settle for anything but white. I repeat the silk white album is delicious but it’s like a pair of fendi shoes; beautiful but impractical.

You say you shoot around 1000 photos on the day, however your packages offer only up to 100 photos in the album…

… What happens to the rest ?
For your album, only the 100 most fabulous photographs are selected. These will be chosen to tell your story, the story of your wedding day. I also give my clients the option to buy a DVD that contains 350 of the best images of the day. Why not all 1000? Well, with reportage photography, there are always a lot of funny faces, closed eyes, etc. I will place only the best 350 on the DVD.

How do I make a booking?

The best way is to send me an email so that I can confirm availability, let you know about prices and answer any questions you might have. If you then wish to make a booking, I will hold the date for you. The booking will be confirmed once I receive a signed copy of the contract and a deposit.

What does ‘touching up’ photos mean?

When I touch up an image I use a computer program to bring out the best in a photo. I may make a number of alterations, from covering up any skin blemishes or imperfections to improving the light and enhancing the colours, for example bringing out the blue in someone’s eyes. This is done very subtly so that you would never know the image had been altered unless you had seen the original photo.

Colour versus black and white…

This will depend on your preferences. I usually try to shoot nearly everything in colour. Colour images can easily be converted to BW. I then choose which version to go with based on the mood of the scene. There are parts of the day I prefer in black and white. I really enjoy the ceremony in BW and the getting ready in bw. I also find that grooms look good in black and white.

Why digital? Part 03

With digital, there are very few ways you can loose the images. With film, that list is endless: a bad batch of film, the film doesn’t load, the film gets fogged, the lab messes up development, the film gets scratched or dusty… I just find using film much too risky for such a special day, and since I am responsible, it’s my job to minimise such risks.

Do you work alone?

Dependant on your package, I nearly always work with an assistant photographer who will also take photos on the day, ensuring that we never miss a moment. When I am shooting the bride entering the church, my assistant is able to catch the reaction of the groom and guests. In addition, my assistant photographer and I have different approaches to photography, which adds interest and contrast to your album. (Please note however that if choosing the Basic Packages, as stated on the price list, only one photographer is provided)

Will there be any posing for photos?

I do not pose my clients into over-romanticised, traditional poses. I may offer a few suggestions, like looking in a certain direction or trying not to smile for a few “serious” photos, but my usual instructions to my clients is to act natural and try to pretend I’m not there. This can be difficult initially, but believe me, after half an hour or so you will get so used to me that I will become part of the furniture.

Mum and her posing shots

As much has you hate those posed formals, your Mum will not feel like the photographs have been taken till they are taken. So how do we get through this painlessly. Firstly let try to keep the groups limited and do big groups like ALL the cousins, instead of individual groups. Then when your Mum makes a few request, lets not hurt her feelings and waste time trying to explain reportage to her. Lets keep the second photographer focused on the reportage while we make Mummy happy. After all you would not be here if it were not for her :)

Images to capture after sunset – part 03

Lastly there is dancing, cake cutting, bouquet and garter throwing. One easy trick which really helps with dancing photographs. Most people turn their back when a photographer wants to shoot them dancing. If you start showing off or dancing for the camera you will be shocked to see just how quickly and enthusiastically your guests copy you. And it will make for FANTASTIC pictures. Just take a look at the pictures from “Suzie & Craig’s” wedding on my website.

Images to capture after sunset – part 01

First the entrance into the dinning room is great and it makes it all the more fun if you are announced. Then we usually shoot a few ambient shots, the first course and you two at your table. We then back off, nobody looks sexy eating… unless you are Kim Basinger. But the rest of us mortal are not sexy and this gives us a chance to down load and check if “tutto aposto” (if everything is in position.)

Time to work – part 02

If you want images that look like they belong in fashion magazine 30 minutes is the minimum time you can expect to invest. Often things run late, and then I have to do all the groups and portraits in ten minutes. So I rush everyone about, end up being late, the guests and chef hate me and the bride would like to know why her pictures don’t look like “Amanda and Dylan’s”. Well Amanda and Dylan gave me literally 6 hours to shoot their portraits. Exaggeration? Perhaps but the photographs rock.

Show time.

I love the idea of a show or cabaret. A little entertainment is always a welcome distraction during a wedding. Ideas range from the truly daring to traditionally elegant. Fire blowers, burlesque show, the circus del sole, a Robbie Williams impersonator or my favourite the “singing waiters”. The singing waiters pretend to be guests and waiters at your wedding before bursting into song. It’s so much fun and the guests love it. There is something just sublime about live entertainment. I adore the musicians supplied by Marco Canterella’s “Wedding Music”. Ranging from Jazz, opera to Italian folk music. Italian folk music is really something to consider, it gets everybody dancing since it infectious and fun.

Good lighting at your venue – Part 01

May seem like a strange thing to consider when choosing a wedding venue. But one would be surprised to discover the difference a little ambient lighting can make. Photography is all about light and if you want great pictures you need to consider the lighting. So a venue which makes use of good natural light with huge windows or compensates for the lack of natural light with gorgeous artificial light, is an important consideration. Sometimes (and especially for video) we will be forced to add a little of our own lighting.

Why do I have to pay a deposit?

Two days ago a mother of a bride called me to cancel, two months before her daughters wedding. I had already turned down two large weddings because I was booked. When she called I went scampering off to see if the other couples had already booked other photographers which they had. Now although I have promised the cancelling bride that if I manage to sell the date she would not loose her deposit. But it’s unlikely that I sell the date at this late stage. So the thirty percent deposit helps cover the loss of earnings incurred. I am sorry for the bride who is cancelling because she had a change of heart, but I am running a business. I have a booking manager because I am a big softie when it comes to the hard stuff. A big softie who was making no money till I hired my precious booking manager.

The worst mistakes you can make as a bride. – part 02

6. Over doing the tan.. especially if you man if very fair
7. Get drunk and stay up late the night before
8. Wear your shoes for the first time on your wedding day
9. Forgetting to kiss your dad when he delivers you to your future husband – this is often a very hard and emotional moment for a parent. We only find out when we have our own children just how hard. I cringe when I see a sad dad being ignored and left without a proper farewell to the past.
10. Stressing about the small stuff and not living in the moment on this your special day

Magical Places and Spaces


At JoAnne Dunn Photography, we have the privilege of shooting weddings in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Many of our clients travel great distances and spend small fortunes to share with their loved ones their love of a particular part of the world.

To honour this commitment, we take care to carefully describe the place chosen for each and every wedding we shoot. At the end of the day, our photos will include not only gorgeous shots of your wedding, but also the surroundings—beautiful landscapes and environments, at different times of day.

Our location shots help to set your wedding in context, both in time and space. The architecture, land and sky will be portrayed so that everyone watching the photos will be cast under the same spell that first caught you.

Joanne Dunn