More than a wedding album printed completely on photographic paper, ALBUM EPOCA is a concept, a unique way to interpret events in their entirety for all the opportunities they can offer. And all with taste, style, and incredible value.

Weddings are very special occasions for professional photographers, allowing them to offer a complete range of precious and highly significant items that satisfy not only the wedding couple but also all the other important guests at the event, including parents, bridal party members and guests.

With ALBUM EPOCA the story of such a special day can be shared with loved ones near and far, and capturing precious memories forever by transforming them into modern and elegant design objects.

Wedding Album – The Album for bride and groom

Last days for self portrait photo competition

To promote Photo Therapy, JoAnne Dunn Photographers is holding a self -portrait competition. The first prize being a two hour Photo Therapy session, shot anywhere in Italy, with twenty printed images of your choice from the shoot. The competition is divided in two categories; photographers and non – photographers.

Self -portraits will be judged on the following aspects:
1. Originality
2. Honesty
3. Aesthetic appeal

The competition ends the 31st of April 2012. Please email your self -portraits to joannedunnphotographeritaly@gmail.com. The images need to be 1200 px high or 1900 wide at 72 dppi. Files must be in jpeg format. Winners will be announced on the 9th of April 2012. The best images will be published on this page. I so look forward to seeing your self portraits.

Photo Therapy Images are great for:

1. Facebook profile pictures
2. Gifts for family, especially for Mom’s and spouses
3. For your career
4. Just for you

You don’t need an excuse you know you could do with a really great picture of yourself. I look forward to suprising you.

Junebug Weddings is a fabulous & extensive wedding site that was founded and designed in 2006 by 3 ex- photographers. Junebug brings together luxury wedding suppliers & professionals from all over the world & features some of the highest end weddings & photography.

JoAnne Dunn was invited to join Junebug in early 2011 & features on their hotlist of ‘world’s best photographers’. http://junebugweddings.com/best-wedding-photographers/Italy/Joanne-Dunn.aspx

JoAnne was also interviewed by co-founder Blair deLaubenfels in March and the ‘spotlight feature’ can be found on the Junebug site.  http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/photobug/default.aspx?PageIndex=6

JoAnne Dunn – Best of Wedding Photography

April 2011. JoAnne was honourably invited to join the premier, invitation – only association for the world’s top wedding photographers in early April.

The Best of Wedding Photography association is run by an elite board of members, who include some of the best- known international photographers.  They look for photographers who are leaders in the field – both in terms of the quality and style of imagery they produce and their level of success and recognition by brides, fellow photographers, and others in the wedding industry.  

JoAnne was proud to accept this invitation.

http://www.bestofweddingphotography.com/joanne-dunn-photographers/

The competition, sponsored by ‘Album Epoca’, was held and judged by the international FIOF association, at this year’s Barletta conference, where Dunn was present to accept this award.  

“Storm winds and wedding dress” received an Accolade of Excellence in the Wedding Details category.

“Greek Wedding” & “she will always remember” each received an Accolade of Excellence in the Wedding Photojournalism category. 

Dunn competed against an international field of photographers to win such honors. 

The Awards of Excellence 16×20 Print Competition awards are presented each year at the largest trade show, educational platform and convention in the United States for professional photographers. The 2011 competition included 2171 prints in 18 different categories submitted by photographers from all over the world. 

For more information please visit www.wppionline.com/competition.aspx  

Presentation by: Guiseppe Mascolo
By invitation only, please contact Kim if you would like to receive an invitation : kim@joannedunn.it

Cocktails “sul prato”

Key Suppliers: For further information contact Anna Sorrentino
- Flowers: Malafronte Floral Design – Armando Malafronte
- DJ & Music Entertainment – Wedding Music by Marco Cantarella
- Hair – Total Hair design by Gerardo
- Make-up: Enza – Frai Form

The Finer Details:
Bridal Accessories: personally designed by Tacori www.tacori.com
Items of amore – Bride’s Shoes by Manolo Blahnik shoes

Key Suppliers: For further information contact Jacquie Coppola
Flowers: Malafronte Floral Design – Armando Malafronte
DJ & Music Entertainment: Wedding Music by Marco Cantarella
Hair: Total Hair design by Gerardo

Make-up: By the bride

The Finer Details:
Colour scheme – Pinks & Lavender
Bride’s Dress by Monique L’Hulier
Groom’s Suit by Richard James
Bridal Accessories by Jenny Peckham
Objects of amore
- Bride’s Shoes by Louboutin Bridal Shoes
- Groom’s ‘made to measure’ shoes by Jeffery West Shoes

1) Be available to meet with them before your big day for a coffee and a chat. This gives you key bonding time! Bonding is vitally important, after all you will be spending a lot of time together with your photographer on the most important day of your live.

2) Bombard them with information about yourselves. Your story, your tastes, your dreams, desires and fantasies. The more you talk about yourselves the more familiar your photographer will be with you.

3) Make a collection of personal photos that you love, or photos/poses that have caught your eye from fashion or bridal magazines. Ask also to see their portfolios and work examples. Show them which images, styles and poses that you like the best. This gives a great idea of your tastes and how you want your wedding images. Tell them what your must have pictures are.

4) Tell them about your complexes and pet hates. If a photographer knows in advance what you feel sensitive and shy about, they will know how to avoid and work around these.

5) Find them on Facebook and connect your profiles. The information on your profile will tell your photographer a lot about who you are.

Few of us are virgins when we walk down the isle, why let another tradition stand in the way of your fun and great pictures.

Please help. My sister’s baby who was born just a few days ago is
not managing to breathe. I would like to ask all my friends, family,
colleges and clients to light a candle for her. Please could you ask friends
& family to help us shine light and love. No matter what you believe.
Sending love is enough, I believe in the power of love in massive doses.
Thank you.

Piccola Dior.

Per favore aiutatemi. La bambina di mia sorella più piccola ,che è nato solo
pochi giorni fa è non riesce a respirare. Vorrei chiedere a tutti i miei
amici, clienti e famiglie di accendere una candela per lei. Diffondete e
fatelo girare anche dai vostri amici. Non importa quello che credi. Invio di
amore è abbastanza…io credo nel potere dell’amore Grazie.

Armando “A magical floral designer capable of realizing magnificent floral creations”, recently released his first book ‘Mille fiori in una promessa’. The book, enriched with fabulous colours and floral compositions, leaves you with an inspiration and admiration for flower design that is hard to find elsewhere. It is nothing but a true reflection and appraisal of this man’s unique talent and incredible green fingers.

You don’t like your face?

Wear a nineteen twenties box hat or a broach hair slide with a short net covering half your face. The broach can be a beautiful focal point. If you have a long neck, wear long chandelier ears, which will again draw attention away from your face.

You have flabby arms?

Flabby arms but your shoulders are your best feature? You wear something off shoulder with off shoulder drapery sleeves (1970s) or carry a delicious shawl.

You are very short?

You need a short twinkly wedding dress with slinky shoes and your hair should be worn up.

8.Ask for recommendations; Italians love giving their opinions on just about everything, but food questions will be tackled with the seriousness of a political debate. “what would you recommend?” works better than “what is good?” “Everything is good!” they will reply, like I said tread lightly food is serious business.

9.Most Italians (especially in South Italy) will have; anti-pasta, pasta, secondo, fruita, dolce and café. If you want to try so much food once in your life I recommend you don’t eat too much pasta and avoid the bread. Or you may just pop.

10.Never ever in your whole life, even if your life depends on it order a cappuccino after a big meal. Everybody in the place, who is Italian, will naturally assume that you are foreign and “don’t understand anything about food.” Unfortunately they have brainwashed me and I too now believe that milk after fish is not so hot.

1.Look for places filled with locals and ask about dishes you see passing by.

2.Try to always order local wine and often house wine which can be home made wine. It’s a little rough round the edges and lighter in alcohol but once you get the taste for it there is no going back. Especially since the price is right and the hangover is low key.

1.The shorter the menu the more likely you are to get good quality fresh food.

2.The more dishes offered with ingredients, which are in season, the better the food will be.

3. In Italy ingredients, which are frozen have to be indicated on the menu, so look out for those little stars on the right.

4.Water is always ordered at the beginning of the meal, a lightly fizzy is recommended to clean the palate especially if you will be eating rich food.

5.If you start with fish or meat, you should stick with the theme or have lemon sorbet between courses.

6.Avoid anything labelled tourist menu or you will end up with fish fingers for your main.

7. It’s good to know what different areas are famous for e.g. Naples has mozzarella, Rome the Amatriciana, Tuscany has it’s Fiorentina and Genova has pesto. But these are just the obvious, Italians can be so passionate about their way of making a certain pasta that they will talk about the people in the next town who don’t know how to cook because they add onions. They will discuss these onion lovers as though they come from a far off land.

6.Eyelash extension

“What no mascara?!” I hear you gasp. For an extra sexy but surprisingly natural look, try eyelash extensions. They look six thousand times better than normal fake lashes. Eyelash extensions don’t lash very long but they look AMAZING. The last long enough for a party and a honeymoon, a girl doesn’t need them to last much longer than that.

7.Pedicure & Manicure

Please can you all stop with the porno star French Manicure. Please. A French mani can look cute if you don’t have those dangerously long nails porno stars insist on sporting. Personally I find such long nails completely unsuitable considering their line or work. Not that I would like to compare brides to porno stars. My point is that if it looks trashy on someone who is trying to look trashy, imagine what it looks like on a bride.

3.Nourishing or Cleansing facial

This should be at least your second facial when preparing for your big day. Your facial should include exfoliating, cleansing and nourishing. If you can get a little face, head, neck and shoulder massaging with the package it will make all the difference.

4.Eyebrow shaping (don’t think this needs much explaining)

5.Eyebrow & eyelash dying

You know how mascara can give you two back eyes at the sea or if it withstands the pool, it will probably be very difficult to get off. By dying your eyebrows and lashes you can withstand the pool test and the effect is flatteringly natural.

2.Total wax

This form of torture needs little introduction. It’s a form of torture for women by woman and those glossy magazines. You know the kind, which tell us that being the way we were born is just not good enough. Anyway as you can tell I feel it’s us who should be paid for this pain. I will also admit to a sick pleasure, which descends right after having your body hair pulled out by the roots. Not indifferent to the euphoria one feels after a tattoo. And if you are brave enough for a Brazilian version be prepared for quite a surprise and a crazy itch afterwards but hey you only get married once.

1.Full body polish

This treatment will leave you with a glossy, smooth and soft skin. It involves; a wash, a steam, a salt rub, a rinse and a rub with oil. If you want to try a home version, mix half a cup of coarse salt with half a cup of your favourite massage oil. Good oils to use are grape seed oil and almond oil. First you soak in a hot bath for ten minutes, to soften dead skin, then wash your skin with a good cleanser. Now rub your oil & salt mixture all over your body. Pay special attention to trouble areas like elbows, bottoms and feet. Rinse well with warm water and if you have very dry skin apply more oil.

2.Individual selected Body Wrap

Body wraps are great for working on cellulite, skin condition and for detoxing. Once again it’s important that your beautician helps you select one that satisfies your needs. If you have problem skin on your back, as few as two wraps or peelings can completely clear problem skin.

3.Lymphatic Drainage massage

My preference for this kind of massage is a Presso-massage. It involves getting into a space suit and basically it squeezes you like a tube of toothpaste. If you are already small you may find the suit can’t reach an adequate amount of pressure. It’s a wonderfully effective and relaxing massage. The Human version of the lymphatic drainage massage is good too but be sure you find someone strong, patient and informed.

1.Individual selected Facial

It’s best to make an appointment just to discuss what you will need. Everybody’s face is different and benefits from different kinds of products. It is important not to have your first facial too soon before your wedding. Usually one really starts to see the benefits of facials once you have had at least two. I recommend a deep cleanse and a nourishing facial for the first one. Do not be tempted to shape your eyebrows etc. You need all facial hair to be clear for the day of your wedding and so you need to do so just three or so days before your wedding. Bleach any stray hairs in the mean while to avoid embarrassment; personally I just don’t leave the house. (Please can someone make moustaches on woman fashionable – Please, we can’t seem to get rid of them).

Electro Stimulation – every day if possible (is this or is this not an emergency)

Now I know this sounds scary girls but it’s less painful than it sounds and very effective. Electro stimulation is particularly effective for difficult to work on muscles, like bottoms. Basically they strap your body with little electro pads, which send little shocks to your muscles. This causes the muscles to contract, the way they would if you were exercising. The stronger you can take the shock the better it works. If you are starting an exercise routine, these little electro sessions will really help you. You will see the benefits of both much quicker since they compliment each other.

5.Music

There is absolutely no way I can do any form of exercise without music. If my iPod is flat, I don’t work out. It’s also about the only chance I get to hear some really great music. It’s so easy to hear and purchase individual songs from the Internet.

6.Spending money on exercising

Guilt has been our chain and shackles for years. For the first time guilt can be used to one’s advantage. Not sure about you but I hate wasting money. If I spend money on new sexy exercise gear, a gym contract and a fab baby blue gym bag, I am more likely to go to gym. I just can’t bear letting the money go to waste. Strange how I don’t see it as my body going to waste or if I do, I really do not seem to care.

3.Espresso & chocolate before you work out

Now I’m breaking some rules here, and going against my advice of avoiding caffeine & chocolate, but we can always make exceptions when we must, and if I just can’t get going then an espresso and a small piece of chocolate help me to start exercising. They encourage me and give me a little rocket boost of energy to tackle the hardest part, the beginning. A small piece of a Mars bar or such has between 200 to 300 calories. About half an hour’s worth of workout will burn a small bar of chocolate but you will need to sweat.

4.Working off the stress with visualisation

If you are angry, stressed or worried about anything, get on the treadmill. First you warm up, then visualise the problem in front of you. For example, picture the guy who ran over your cat and scream at him in your head. You will be surprised how fast you can go. Keep going till you feel no anger, depending how much you have. Not only will you exercise harder for longer you will also get rid of unwanted feelings by burning them off. Double bonus.

1.Get an instructor or exercising partner.

This is a commitment on your part and you will be far less likely that you will skip a session if it means letting someone else down. You are also less likely to hurt yourself with an instructor and they can help you work on your weak points.

2.Consider step or dance classes

Personally I always stuck my nose up at any form of exercise class. Shying away because I thought I would be useless due to my lack of coordination. But who said the point was to be the best pupil in the class. Once I gave lessons a chance, I found that I was so busy concentrating on the steps that I broke a sweat without realising. I find distractions like people and music are most helpful in breaking through the pain barrier. I once had an aerobics teacher who picked on me non stop, on all of us actually. His intension was to make us angry because when one is angry the energy levels go way up. I often left the class wondering what his problem was. Two years down the line I consider the man a genius.

Girls often tell me that they hate exercise. I hated exercise too, until I finally gave it a chance. The secret is not to be doing it to get thin but rather for the act of exercise its self. One needs to tune into one’s body when one exercises. Stop repeating to yourself that you hate exercising.

Instead notice your feelings; tired, pain, uncomfortable, bored and keep pushing. See if you can challenge those feelings keep going, focusing on getting plenty of oxygen into the trouble stops. Imagine breathing oxygen into your brain, legs and tummy. Feel the oxygen creating the burn, burning the fat, creating energy. Just when you want to give up, do another five minutes. Then one day (depending on how unfit you are) after fifteen minutes of suffering it all lifts and something magical happens. Your body and breathing go on auto and you feel like you are flying.

You will feel happier because your body is being pumped full of endorphins. Then as the added bonus you will start to look great. But if you do it for the effect, you will give up before you start. You need to get into doing exercise for the sake of the exercise itself.

I know I go on and on about exercise but I cannot help it. More than once I have been very overweight, and I have tried every diet available. I promise you with my heart and thighs; diets make you fat. The only way to stay slim and healthy is by doing regular exercise. Besides I prefer to workout and be able to eat what I fancy with no guilt.

Stretching does wonderful things to one’s muscles. Other than making them supple, stretching also tones your muscles. The act of stretching is a quiet, slow action, which does wonders for the stress levels. Once you start stretching, notice that it soon becomes something you feel the need to do. Yoga is the ultimate form of stretching since it often incorporates meditation. Meditation and stretching are two excellent ways to fight the effects of stress. Stress makes you ugly and sick. Stretching is very important before and after exercise. Doing it before ensures you do not hurt yourself during your workout. If you stretch afterwards it can help avoid stiffness. Exercise and stretching should be started gradually or you will hurt yourself and have to stop. Which would put a dramatic stop on your beauty plan.

Vitamin C allows toxins to be broken down and discarded by the body. So a good vitamin plan would be a good Multivitamin and maybe a little extra Vitamin C. Vitamin B is very good when combating the effects of stress. A natural immune booster will ensure your good health when you are travelling and experiencing stress. Stress places havoc on your skin and hair, a course of vitamins, which are geared towards nourishing hair, and skin can also be a good idea. I also like tonics, which are added to water and help clean out the system. I recommend using only natural supplements and make sure you are not over doing some vitamins like Vitamin D.

A Word on Dieting Tablets:

Just don’t go there! They make you moody, emotional and in the long run they destroy your metabolism. So one day when you eventually have to stop them or you loose a kidney, you will have no metabolism and have no hope of ever getting to the right weight. Trust me on this; any metabolism stimulating and appetite suppressing drugs bought in the pharmacy are no different to amphetamines they sell in discos around the world. They will not keep you thin since the second you stop taking them you will be hungrier than you have ever been before and with a huge new tendency to put on weight. And if they don’t destroy your body they will make you so irritable that everybody will hate you. Enough said.

If you MUST have chocolate because you are a chocoholic, it’s not a problem. For every one hundred grams of chocolate you need to do one hour of exercise, the sweaty kind. SO you do the maths, personally I am prepared to do three hours a day, everyday. As I have mentioned before it’s just really important to balance what goes in with what goes out. If you fall off the wagon and over do the energy intake time to going dancing all night long.

Our aim is not to suddenly drop huge amounts of weight but to detoxify, stimulate your metabolism and nourish your body. This will not only improve the way you look, but it will drastically improve your state of mind and energy levels. Instead of focusing on what we are not allowed, we need to focus on adding things to our diet. A good step is to include as many detoxifying and nutritious ingredients possible into your diet. The good news is the more the merrier.

Foods which help you to detoxify your body:

1. Fruits
2. Green Foods
3. Lemons, Oranges & Limes
(Note: start each day with a warm cup of water and lemon juice to clean your liver)
4. Garlic
5. Broccoli Sprouts
6. Green Tea
7. Raw or juiced Vegetables
8. Seeds & Nuts (no butters or salted nuts)
9. Omega-3 Oils

It would shock you to know how much weight you would loose just by getting rid of the excess water you are retaining. The number one substance, which aggravates water retention, is sodium. The number one weapon against water retention is water. Flood your body and it lets go of its reserves. But this takes one to two days to kick in. Water retention is also effectively reduced with exercise, saunas, steam rooms and massages. And if you are prone to swelling in general avoid all alcohol for at least three days before your wedding.

Then there is the most difficult but most important rule of all; try not to eat after seven (if you go to bed at ten). Most of the weight we put on we do so when we eat and go to bed. The same goes for afternoon naps. If you have a little binge, no need to panic, just go for a long walk. Try to see your body as a machine and try to balance what goes in and out. Eating an hour before exercise is ideal and not napping before a three hour time period has passed since your last meal. If you manage nothing else at all this is guaranteed to help you loose around a kilo in a week.

If we have our carbohydrates for breakfast, we need to stock up on proteins during the other two main meals. So lunch and dinner you will eat baked, boiled, steamed or grilled proteins with loads of fresh fruit and vegetables. Proteins are eggs, beans, nuts, meat, fish, chicken and hard cheeses. They are essential for increasing muscle mass. The higher your muscle mass the more fat you burn. A telltale sign of bad dieting is a thin person who is bone and fat with their skin hanging off their body. Proteins are essential for reshaping your body. Limit salt, oils, fats and dairy. Except for low fat live yogurts. Make chicken, fish, tofu, beans or lentils tasty with spices. Eat your fruit first and wait fifteen minutes, this will ensure minimum absorption of fat.

I am not a fan of low carbohydrate diets because they sap your energy levels and can be dangerous for kidney and liver functions. So I recommend having your carbohydrates in the morning for energy and you will have the whole day to burn off the sugar. I highly recommend unrefined cooked oats. They are slow burning carbohydrates and being unrefined they will keep hunger away and stimulate metabolism. This is because your metabolism will have to work hard to digest the unrefined oats. (Note: A helpful hint is always to choose unrefined wholegrain when ever choosing rice, pasta or bread.) Wholegrain rice is a good substitute for the oats. I know it’s not exactly what you imagined for breakfast but this is an emergency plan.

Add as much fruit to your diet as you can bear. Even if you like just one kind of fruit, it’s important to give your metabolism a lot to work with. When we starve ourselves we slow down our metabolisms and when we start to eat again the body takes precautions against the famine it has been experiencing. The precautions involve storing everything you eat as fat. So a good trick is to eat a lot of that, which does not make you fat. Good examples are watermelons, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, spinach; basically raw fruit and vegetables. They will fill you up, detoxify you, nourish you, keep your metabolism up, quench you, drench you and the fact you don’t have to limit your intake will help with compulsive eating urges one experiences when dieting.

Say the word diet to me and I instantly get hungry. I am just not one for sacrifice. I prefer to add things than to take them away. I do feel quite an expert in the field of dieting. I have lost and gained more kilograms than I care to share with you. I know drastic diets defeat themselves; they actually make you fat, especially when they starve you. They make your hair and skin look awful. So my diet is quite free and healthy. The key principle is metabolism stimulation with increased quantities of nourishing food. Being healthy makes you not only look your sexiest and most beautiful, it makes you feel it to.

The plan is divided into different strategies, which each require dedication and determination. The results will be evident from the first day. Especially psychologically, since the exercise will instantly increase your endorphin levels. Although one may experience a light headache and a little tiredness from the detox, it will be short lived. Unless you have been bombing your body with toxins for years. For this reason I recommend starting the plan on a Saturday.

I have including a whole bunch of my favourite pictures from Francesco, Kim & Zoë’s portfolios.

info@weddingmusic.it

Then came the economic crisis and well the party was closed down. The bandwagon broke from being over loaded with photographers.

Then Jerry Ghionis arrives on the scene, claiming to be tired of waiting for the action to happen and preferring to go out and make magic happen. He declares his main mission was to make his clients beautiful, a highly unpopular opinion according to the moment worshippers.

His work also includes reportage images but his focus is once again on the portrait side of wedding photography. And although he has this in common with the cheesy wedding photographers from the eighties, the similarities stop there. His work is fresh and exciting. Finally a breath of fresh air for wedding photography which had been so concentrated on being natural and obeying rules that it had gotten way too serious and rigid.

Crazy women all over the world were paying ridiculous amounts of money to have the photographer of their choice shoot their wedding, even if it meant flying them in. The destination-wedding photographer was born. Brides began saying things like, “from the minute I saw their pictures I knew they were the one, and I could have no one else”. Brides began to select their wedding photographers as carefully as they selected their husbands. Wedding photography became a priority for the wedding budget. And many destination-wedding photographers still lead the life of rock stars; flying all over the world to party and make huge amounts of cash at the same time.

Thanks to the great Joe Buissink, all that has now changed. Twelve years ago Joe Buissink showed the wedding world a new freer approach to wedding photography. The man took exception to being paid less than what was paid for the cake since the photography was the only investment, which lasts past the wedding day. He introduced the world to reportage and gave little thought to traditional rules of wedding photography. He was willing to pay the price of grain for the beauty of the moment and natural light. He focused on the moment but not being a purist he also shot portraits. For the first time wedding portraits were influenced by both fine art and fashion photography.

He is rumoured to charge ten thousand dollars just to pitch and then all orders are extras. Joe Buissink forever changed the lives of wedding photographers the world.

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.

Brides fantasise about how they will look down to the finest details. In fantasies things can be perfect and in reality they cannot. Naturally this nearly leads to great disappointment. Every bride, even if she will not admit it, wants to be perfectly beautiful.

Ristorante Al Palazzo
via dei Mulini, 23 84017 POSITANO (+39) 089 875 177

La Tagliata
via Tagliata, 22, 84017 Positano (+39) 089 875 872

Acquapazza
Corso Garibaldi, 36, 84010 Cetara (+39) 0892.61606

Le Palme Ristorante Pizzeria
Via Supportico Marinella, Atrani (+39) 089871495

Al Pesce D’Oro
Via Giovanni Agustariccio, Amalfi (+39) 089-831231

Ristorante San Pietro
Piazzetta San Francesco 2, 84010 Cetara (+39) 089261091

Le Terrazze
Via grotte dell’incanto, 51 84017 POSITANO (+39) 089 875 874

Restaurant Villa Cimbrone
Via Santa Chiara 26, 84010 Ravello (+39) 089 85 80 72

Rossellinis – Palazzo Sasso
Via San Giovanni del Toro, 27, Ravello (+ 39) 089 818181

Restaurant Hotel Palumbo
Via San Giovanni del Toro, 16 
84010 Ravello 
Phone: +39(089)857244

Ristorante Marina Grande
Viale della Regione, 4, 84011 Amalfi (+39) 089871129

Salvatore
Via della Repubbliche 2, Ravello, (+39) 089-857227

“Mamma Agata” is like a character out of an Italian art movie. Chiara & “Mamma Agata” run a fun cooking school for anyone who wants to better their Italian cuisine techniques. They have also published their first cookbook, which means you can take home these culinary spells. They are delightful and full of juicy titbits to enrich your visit to Ravello. One has the impression that they adore sharing their kitchen with new visitors.

Italians are a tribe of pleasure seekers and their number one drug of choice is food. Mamma Agata’s cooking school is about more than just cooking; it’s about pleasure too. Oh and they also do intimate weddings for clients who share their choice of pleasure.

Piazza S. Cosma, 9, 84010 Ravello, Italy tel +39 089 857019

If I have offended any Italian wedding photographer, I apologise and humbly request you have a look at the winning pictures on the “International Society for Professional Wedding Photographers”. Then I hope you will feel stimulated instead of irritated. And you will note there are a few Italians among them, though always doing reportage.

I hate to say it, but during the eighties and nineties wedding photography in Italy was really scary or at best, embarrassing. You can see the after effects of the torture inflicted in the eyes of young Italian couples. “PLEASE, no posing,” they beg. So naturally everybody flung themselves onto the other side of the scales. Reportage is the only style most Italian photographers and clients want to see. There are very few who are mixing reportage with fashion and portraiture photography.

Here we go again with the tanning debate. Yes during the day on the beach we do look better with a bit of colour. And although I generally prefer models who are not too tanned, a little colour with boudoir photography is acceptable. But I generally prefer working with the skin colour girls are born with. The reason is that the camera tends to accentuate the uneven skin tones caused by sun tanning. The older you are the greater these differences are. There are some girls who can tan evenly but there is one in every hundred I shoot.

High heels are another great way to improve your boudoir images. High heels not only give your legs more length, they also give your great calf muscles and make you walk up straight.

What exactly is good posture? Well we are not talking about the posture you do in finishing school. Bottom and breasts out, tummy in and head lift as though it’s been pulled by a cord at the base of the neck. Nearly everybody benefits from lifting their chin a little, it removes annoying double chins.

Stretching your body and accentuating the S shape of your body will pull your curves into position. It will also smooth out lumps and bumps.

Very few humans have breasts which look good dangling down when you are on all fours. Maybe if you are wearing a push up bra it could work but if you are naked they tend to look silly. Instead lie on your tummy, support yourself on your elbows , bend your knees and cross your ankles. This is a very flattering pose and modest too.

It is very difficult to shoot a wedding properly when two videographers are pushing you out the way. We offer a discreet backstage reproduction of the day with as little fuss as possible. Our studio gives priority to the photography. However if the videography is more important to you we also offer HD video services.

I have never had the courage to do what many other photographers do and ban all other shooters. However if you are buying all the pictures on dvd, there will be plenty of pictures of everyone and some really nice portraits of the guests. If you can ban cameras, at least in the church when you can blame the priest.

The pictures included in this blog are a mix between fashion and wedding portraits. Can you tell which are which?

The pictures included in this blog are a mix between fashion and wedding portraits. Can you tell which are which?

The pictures included in this blog are a mix between fashion and wedding portraits. Can you tell which are which?

All this has to be done without ruining the mood of the day. It’s very testing and emotionally draining. For every bride it’s the most important day ever and even after hundreds of wedding it has to be as exciting as the first time for the photographer. Always the same rituals not often many surprises but the pictures have to be creative and fresh with no art director to give ideas. You have to get at least one hundred amazing shots in a very limited time with no control over subject or light. Not time for testing or controlling. All this while trying not to be invasive or make it obvious that you have been working for eight hours and no one thought to feed you.

I think it’s safe to say that a fashion photographer would find a wedding very hard to shoot and a wedding photographer would find a fashion shoot ridiculously easy.

1. By speaking to them kindly and with respect
2. A small gift with a thank you card
3. Take a moment before you walk down the aisle to look them in the eye
4. When you leave them at the end of the aisle whisper “I love you” in their ear.
5. Make sure you let the photographer know which photographs are important to them and make sure you have a special picture taken with them. It will be such a priceless gift to them.
6. Do not belittle or get irritated if they get a little demanding or emotional on the day, remember it’s a very difficult milestone the end of an era.
7. Remember to dance with your parents after the first dance.

But if you can’t manage any of these don’t worry they are probably happy to be rid of you any way. One day when you have children they will take your parents’ revenge. There is nothing uglier in the world than a bride who treats her mother and father badly on her wedding day.

Remember to thank everybody. Traditionally various members of the bridal party have specific people to thank. There can be few things as cruel as a bride who forgets to thank her parents for such a wonderful wedding.

By writing a cheesy poem which rhymes and is completely individual, you can grant yourself permission to read and be cheesy. People want to laugh at a wedding. They don’t want you to experience an award silence. You would have to be awful for them not to laugh. So as long as you make it about the couple and from the heart they will laugh at a corny poem. I promise.

If there is a master of ceremonies he or she can boss everybody around and no one will mind because that is what he is supposed to do. Which just leaves me the problem of the thirty six groups to do in half and hour.

For this reason often the eloping clients pictures are so much better because I have a lot of time. But by being on time, allocating at least an hour to these images and being co-operative you insure your pictures will be great.

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.

I also find a few laughs and giggles work. Once again we can see how important it is that you really like and get on with your photographer. Nothing worse that not sharing the sense of humour of your photographer and cringing every time they open their mouths.

“GET OVER IT ALREADY”. You are young, healthy, in love and able to afford a wedding. So you are not Kate Moss. Unfortunately you will only realise how gorgeous you are today when you really get old and ugly. And then you will wish you had not wasted so much time on nonsense and had more fun.

The advantages of doing an engagement shoot, even on a separate day to your wedding are many. Firstly it gives you a chance to get comfortable with your photographer. It also helps your photographer get to know you and your face. At which angles you look best and what you like. You also get to understand the creative process and get a feel of what it is like to be “shot”. Better not leave too many surprises for your wedding day.

It costs you nothing, other than inviting your friends and family to join.
Right now we have seven hundred and twenty four members in our group.
For every single person who joins between now and New Year’s eve we will be taking a little step towards making a big difference.

The Charity we are supporting: www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com

The Group to join if you want to help:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34516491523

Candid or reportage wedding photography is what every bride thinks she want for her wedding photography. Ninety nine percent of all couples, especially the men tell me they do not want to be posed. But after years of shooting weddings it’s my job to point out that they may not know all the facts.

Reportage is great but it’s not flattering. Often what wins a wedding reportage photography competition is not an image that a bride would put in her album. One fact I am sure of is that all couples want to look good in their wedding album. If they admit it or not. What they all have in common is they do not want to look silly. Due to the torture inflicted on clients by 80’s wedding photographers, posing has become synonymous with the word silly.

So let’s see what brides really want. The want to capture all the special moments while always looking their best. If you only request reportage photography, although the picture will be natural and emotional, in many you will not look you best.

And be honest, we all want to look good on our wedding day. To look your best you need to do a little… dare I say it again… posing? See previous blogs for more on posing.

Personally I prefer petals, rice paper shapes, bubbles and streamers. A super cute idea, especially if your colours are pink and purple, is to over dry bougainvillea flowers. You place the in a very low oven for several hours. They look gorgeous, light on the budget and don’t litter.

Just all depends on your attitude. If you build up this huge expectation in your head it’s very unlikely reality has a chance to match your expectations. If you start to notice what is not the way you imagined it would be, everything will seem to be going wrong. But if you focus on the many things that are right, all the people who have contributed to your day and realise just how lucky you are, you will be filled with gratitude and gratitude breeds joy.

This is dependant on both the type of package you choose, and also yourselves. For the digital packages (in which you just receive all of your photos on DVD), these are turned around in usually within a week. If you choose to have an album with your package, you will be first given all of your proofs (small images of all the photos), usually also within a week, and from there you are able to choose the photos that you want to include in your album. The album is then carefully put together in studio here, and will be ready 3 months from the day that we receive your choices.

Will our pictures be posted on your website? What else will you be able to do with our pictures after the wedding?

Your pictures that you choose to include in your album (should you choose an album), will be posted on our website, which you can login and access with a personal password.

No – no photographer in Italy will provide you with this type of Insurance. Due to many insurance scams, particularly in South Italy, this kind of insurance is rarely offered or ridiculously expensive. We have a legally binding contract, which upholds us to all of our promises.

Will we agree a set of “must have” formal photos?

Yes – about a month before your wedding, I will send you a ‘about you and your wedding form’. Here we go over all of the things you want included or don’t want included, important family and friend group photos. Also if you have any self-conscious aspects that you don’t particularly like photographed, we address it all.

If we hire you will you personally take the photos on the day? Is it just you or do you have an assistant?

It depends which photographer you book. You can choose to book me, Gianni or Francesco, and then that person will be the photographer to show up on the day. Dependent on the package you choose, each photographer is nearly always provided also with a trained and shooting assistant (only the mini packages are 1 photographer only)

60 reportage photos
10 group or formal portraits
1 collage of landscape images (6 or 12 images in the collage)
10 individual portraits of bride and groom (5 each)
1 or 2 collages of details images
15 couple portraits

Leave a little room for the unexpected. For a truly sensational album make sure your photographer is “hot” and will let you participate in the creation of your album.

Girls with big noses may want to keep them on since it can break the line of the nose. Girls I never realised had big noses, took off their glasses on their wedding day and well there it was.

I always try to take a few without glasses since glasses reflect light and the flash. This can make it hard to see the eyes, which are generally the focal point of a portrait.

Traditionally it’s the bride who has to fit the bill for bridesmaids’ dresses. SO logically having four or five really makes things expensive. And if you shop for them at a nice shop like Monsoon you are likely to pay a lot less than you would at a Bridal boutique.

7. Don’t get married from end of May till mid September

Everything is more expensive during this time. Flights, hotels, and venues all increase price wise during peak season. You are far more likely to get discounts from service providers if you marry out of high season. Good photographers can sell Saturdays during those months four times over, it’s therefore unlikely they would offer you any kind of discount.

They are great weeder, meaning you won’t have to invite half the people you would usually have to. Depending where you live it can be much cheaper too.

5.don’t waste money on nonsense

Seems simple enough but let me give you an example. Those disposable cameras take terrible pictures and are expensive. I often see brides who buy a selection of headpieces but to use only one. Let’s face it, us girls are good at focusing on the details and in doing so loose site of what kinds of investments will actually be worth something one day.

Orchids may be beautiful but since most are imported they are very expensive. By choosing flowers that are in season and indigenous, you will save heaps.

2.Don’t buy bridal shoes

Like photography, anything labelled “Bridal”, it instantly get much more expensive. Choosing silver or glittery evening sandals can save you quite a bit.

3.booking flights months ahead of time

If you book your flights months ahead of the actual date you want to travel, you can end up paying more for taxes than the actual flight especially when flying in Europe

I promise you, you will need a pair of scissors on your wedding day. Just as you are running late, you will realise you urgently need a pair.

4.Eat

This may seem very obvious but some many brides feel sick or faint because they are too nervous to eat before the action begins. I highly recommend bananas; they give good energy and vitamins (some of which a good in combating anxiety).

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.

Antonio – Hiding amongst some the best reportage photographers in south Italy, Antonio has accumulated years of experience in classical Italian wedding photography. A perfectly adorable gentleman, with absolute discreetness, Antonio works diligently to ensure not a single moment is lost. Antonio joined Joanne Dunn photographers in 2008 for a taste of something different. With minimal English, we ensure that Antonio always works with an English-speaking assistant at his side.

Ben – Arrival of the long awaited fine art specialist. With a background of Fine Art and landscape imagery, Ben is an expert in photographic composition and technical details. With an artists eye, and impeccably good taste, Ben’s photography is for the people who love beautiful things in life. Both fluent in English and Italian and a lifetime of experience in the wedding field, finally (after many years of trying), I have convinced Ben to join my team of wedding photographers.

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.

Location: Villa Cimbrone

Date: 07 September 2009

Title: I always knew you

Category: Couple Portraiture

Style: Portraiture

Night shots can be very romantic and take us to other worlds. Because of long exposures subjects have to sit really still and it’s better to do the half an hour after sunset. So many couple don’t make use of my services during crucial light moments. I have been sitting outside a brides room while she wrote her vows and did not get to take any portraits. Then her prtraits also have to be done after the service like the couple and groom portraits, not to mention the groups. Sarah and Danny were very relaxed, happy and cooperative. Their efforts were rewarded with great pictures. Not because I am brilliant but because the we co operative. And in love…

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date: 29 May 2009

Title: untitled

Category: Couple Portrait

Style: Portraiture

Bad weather is the dread of every bride but for just one second image this photograph with blue skies. It just would not be the same. Some of my favourite images were taken in the rain. With a bride who keeps a good attitude and does not throw her toys out the cot because she has no control over the weather, will be rewarded. Especially those who are prepared to get a little wet and do a little walking. Keep flat comfortable alternative shoes on hand.

Completely off the topic I want to mention the absolutely chicest wedding dress I have ever laid my eyes on. I am all for short and off white. She is sexy, elegant, modern, no-nonsense… don’t think it comes cheap because it’s a Hermes dress and the pearls are Vuitton. But you can adapt the style to your budget. I have said it time and time again brides often ruin their day by being uncomfortable in their wedding dress.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date:11 July 2009

Title: what?

Category: Kids will be kids

Style: Reportage

I think children are always a lovely element to add to any wedding. I am always a little saddened by invitations which do not include children. Children are often the ones who enjoy weddings the most. They often start the dancing and they can be more decorative the flowers and more entertaining than the band. By choosing a place where they can have a little space to play and a few baby sitters to chase them around, everybody will be happier. Especially your photographer, doubt any of their older gests enjoyed the cakes nearly half as much. Though admittedly if one of your Aunties were to enjoy her cake while sitting on one of the tables barefoot, that would make a pretty good photo too.

Location: Castellamare di Stabia

Date: 01 July 2009

Title: Belated Bachelors Dance

Catagory: Humour

Style: Reportage

Now I thought this kind of thing went on before the wedding but not during. And although this photograph is only a tease because none of us, could take our eyes off their bottoms. Their participation to the evening was one of delight, fun and colour. They do a few salsa dancing lessons towards the end and do get the party rocking. If you have a few friends that get out of hand and embarrass you regularly, I do not recommend Brazilian dancers. They tend to work the crowd into a frenzy and well you know what boys can be like. Also, and this will sound cruel, unless you are a towering Amazon woman don’t accept an invitation to dance with them you will be shocked how imperfect and silly one can look next to a Goddess. And if you have a complex by your weight… and or height forget those Brazilians. Trust me.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravelllo

Date: 12 June 2009

Title: YMCA

Catagory: Humour

Style: Reportage

Usually dancing time your get a few funnies but few can beat a bunch of boys who play in a band together. And have done so since they were children. Add into the mix a particularly hardcore best men’s speech which required a couple hundred shooters to recover from. And what do you get? Red Hot Chilly Pepper fans doing the YMCA. Again blending in and becoming one of the guest is very important in order to catch this kind of shot.

Let me know… I can work all night if you need more candy

Location: Mykonian Mare Resort, Agios Stefanos, Mykonos ,Greece

Date: 27 June 2009

Title: little fluffy ducks

Category: Wedding details

Style: Details

Peonies and orchids are the most popular wedding flowers. I adore both but both are terribly expensive. Odyssia combined the peonies with a magical sphere theme. Which she then echoed with golden apples at every place setting. The eye loves repetition and themes. Especially subtle ones. She had circular dinner tables prepared and a dinning hall with arches. The dinning hall had already been tastefully decorated with white and gold using clean minimal art, incorporating circles. By using the themes and colours she already found within the dinning hall, she created a harmonious environment and her theme made good use of what there was available.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date: 29 May 2009

Title: “They look like clouds”

Category: Bridal Portrait

Style: Portraiture

Have to say it time and time again. LOVE doing run always. Why ? No stress or pressure from anyone. Loads of time to take beautiful pictures. Time to get to special places, away from the crowds at exactly the perfect time, when the light is at it’s best. Being the only witness of the day and memories to later share with loved ones, the photography takes on a whole new meaning. Angela is also very creative and together with her being to open to ideas and creativity, we made some lovely images together. I can’t tango alone.

Location: Church – S. Maria di Montesanto – Naples

Date: 05 August 2009

Title: Life

Catagory: Couple Portraiture

Style: Portraiture

Naples is not on Italy’s top ten places to see. Log on to Meteo.it and you will see that Rome is as south as they want to go on the home page. But those of us who are fascinated by other realities and reality itself. For those of us who sometimes get nauseated by sugar encrusted facades presented to tourists, Naples is truly unbelievable. This young bride grew up in Naples. And wanted to remember the streets at this juncture in her life. I really love her couple shots. They will always bring back memories for her.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date:11 July 2009

Title: watching her wondering

Category: Bride & Groom Portraiture

Style: Portraiture

Another one of Erins images, again proving that two brains can equal a hundred. Brainstorming and the art of play is what creativity is all about when I am lucky enough to have a couple who are will to play magic happens. This image was completely her idea, and when I shot it, it never jumped out at me. But I have learnt to first catch the images and then decide which are work keeping.

Hint of the day:

I always recommend keep a scrap book of couple and bridal shots you like that you would like to show your photographer. They will understand your taste, get ideas and yyou will have plenty of poses to practise.

Location: Hotel Palumbo, Ravello, Italy

Date: 29 August 2009

Title: Dancing on top of a mountain.

Category: Location/Venue

Style: Landscapes

Often the genre categories merge a little. This image starts to blend into the edges of reportage because it is telling you about the human interaction and motion. Hotel Palumbo has the added advantage of being able to see half of the Amalfi Coast by night. Lively parties lend themselves to reportage but if things are a little quiet a photographer may have to revert so some night portraits to liven up an album.

Personally I find the ideal number of guests is between 50 and 75. Twenty is an absolute minimum unless you have rock star guests. I recommend just the two of you as apposed to 8. But there are always exceptions to every rule. I do not recommend wedding over 160. I once did a wedding of four hundred and fifty people and the bride and groom were tortured. . I think there were just the right number of guest at Ortensia’s wedding, it was a great deal of fun.

Location: Hotel Palumbo, Ravello, Italy

Date: 29 August 2009

Title: Dancing on top of a mountain.

Category: Location/Venue

Style: Landscapes

Often the genre categories merge a little. This image starts to blend into the edges of reportage because it is telling you about the human interaction and motion. Hotel Palumbo has the added advantage of being able to see half of the Amalfi Coast by night. Lively parties lend themselves to reportage but if things are a little quiet a photographer may have to revert so some night portraits to liven up an album.

Personally I find the ideal number of guests is between 50 and 75. Twenty is an absolute minimum unless you have rock star guests. I recommend just the two of you as apposed to 8. But there are always exceptions to every rule. I do not recommend wedding over 160. I once did a wedding of four hundred and fifty people and the bride and groom were tortured. . I think there were just the right number of guest at Ortensia’s wedding, it was a great deal of fun.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravelllo

Date: 20 June 2009

Title: the girls

Category: Bridal Party Portrait

Style: Portraiture

Now before your go gasping at this one. Have you ever had your photograph taken in a costume or Bikini before? I have to admit I was also a little surprised when the bride agreed to let me use this picture, but naturally thrilled. After all the lingerie would be a rather modest swimming costume , would it not? And you just can’t beat it for impact.

Louise made me eat my words about tanning. Although she promised me she restrained herself and insisted be bridesmaids weren’t milk white. Her skin is one of her many gorgeous features and this portrait boldly shows it off. And why shouldn’t she. Do you know how much she will love this image thirty years from now. Respect sister.

Clients: Maria Esposito & Emilio Coppola

Location: Castellammare di Stabia

Date: 19th April 2009

Title: my children

Category: Decisive Moment

Style: Reportage

I love shooting Neapolitans they are so emotional and dramatic. They are not afraid to love. They such a romantic bunch. This is the family priest. And this is just a quick prayer on the dance floor. Especially towards the end of the evening when the wine kicks in. The more I can fade into the crowd and become one of the guests the easier it will be to get images like this one.

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date:11 July 2009

Title: Should this be so difficult

Category: Reception

Style: Reportage

This one speaks for itself. Usually I am not a big fan of cake photos. It’s dificult not to do something very cheesey. Often having larger than life characters to photograph makes all the difference. And although this one might not be the couples first choice for their album cake shot, it is quite amazing. I love any picture that makes me giggle. I do wish to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with this cake… it’s just them being two silly billies.

Clients: Ortensia Castagno & Dylan Dryden

Location: Hotel Palumbo, Ravello, Italy

Date: 29 August 2009

Title: Red or Dead

Category: Wedding Details

Style: Details

This is another one of those crazy brides you just have to love. I think red shoes, red bouquet and a white dress is a very funky combination. The she added such a yummy clash with the touch of pink. Anyone who knows me knows I have the most ridiculous shoe fetish due to my ridiculously huge feet. But do these shoes have horns or thorns… I ask you? Could they be any sexier? Finally I would like to officially award this bride her licence for high heel shoes. You should have seen the woman dancing on the lawn and gliding up and down the hundreds of stairs of Ravello.

Clients: Odyssia Houstis & Alexander Dudic

Location: Mykonian Mare Resort, Agios Stefanos, Mykonos ,Greece

Date: 27 June 2009

Title: “What is the secret pass word?”

Category: Getting Ready

Style: Reportage

I think one of the best things about working in Greece is the light and the white architecture. It’s a photographer’s dream. The colours are so gorgeous. This is the bride’s sister in law keeping guard at the door, shooing away the groom. I love the way you can almost feel the breeze flowing in from the door as it gently blows her dress.

Clients: Erin Bazos & Erich Schoenenberger

Location: Villa Cimbrone – Ravello

Date:11 July 2009

Title: Pesty Crease

Category: Getting Ready

Style: Reportage

Erin is a graphic artist from New York and so understood the creative process. Being so talented she was so very helpful in creating some of the best pictures I ever took, solely thanks to her clever ideas. I did want to include this little teasing picture, like myself she is a tormented perfectionist. Unfortunately it was only after she put on the very difficult to assemble Issey Miyake dress did she notice a crease. So her faithful friends… ironed the dress with her in it! Fortunately I am happy to report no harm was done.

Clients: Maurizio & Claudia

Location: Church – S. Maria di Montesanto – Naples

Date: 05 August 2009

Title: No one else exists

Category: Framing the Subject

Style: Reportage

This is one of the only moments I saw the bride still. She is a little cherie bomb of a creature, full of fun and energy. Often Italian couples are together for ten years or more before they get married and often are not the most excited about their big day. Not all but many. However Maurizio and Claudio are one crazy couple that kept me on my toes and we did some of my absolute favourite couple shots ever through streets of Naples (not a usual choice for couples). However they do look like two little church mice in this picture. A sacred moment can calm even the most restless of souls. I love the way the door way isolates them from the rest of the celebration and really seems like there is no one else there.

Clients: Mariarosaria & Luca
Location: Church -Santa Maria delle Grazie – Ravello
Date: 9th July 2009
Title: Joy
Category: Decisive Moment
Style: Reportage

Mariarosaria wanted her wedding shot in the style of fashion editorials. And although her pictures are mostly posey and quite sexy, this one slipped into my lense. Their joy is obvious and I love the way time is frozen but you can still feel the movement. This Bride has a huge amount of energy and in just one instant so many elements came together. Like I say the image chose me and slipped right into my lense and I was quite surprised to find it among the other pictures. This is why I like to shoot a lot, pictures often choose me and I just have to be ready to catch them and keep them safe.

1. Too many tourists, hard to shoot in the most famous places without looking like you are just one in a million. Though this can be overcome if your photographer knows a few secret places.
2. Never be late if you are getting married in Venice. There are no cars, none. So if you are late you have to run or catch a boat but they are only allowed to go very slowly. Be warned if you catch the wrong boat or bus it can cost you hours.
3. Everything is already very expensive but if they see you wearing a wedding dress the price doubles.
4. The place is so full of tourist traps that your wallet is in constant danger but with a little intelligent exploration, like following Italians in to a restaurant you can find real treasures.

1. The scenery is unbeatable, nothing else like it exists. The streets, buildings and interiors.
2. If you are prepared to spend a bit you can dine in some of the most exquisite hotels in the world
3. Getting around on boats and gondolas is fabulous
4. It’s melon conic waysare so romantic
5. Even the shops are romantic and the shopping is down right sexy (if you find that kind of thing sexy.
6. It’s so close to Milan so flights are frequent and cheap
7. There is so much to see and do from art exhibitions, boat tours, walking tours and of course the define art of getting lost with a camera

Venice is UNBELIEVABLE. Crazy Venetians built a city in the middle of the sea. It’s sinking and won’t be there for ever so even if you don’t get married there you have to go and see the place. It’s refined, beautiful, sad, and so impressive. One can see the strong Arabic influence and it is surprised by gardens and luxury.

I would like to build a case for the poor wedding photographer right around the world. Wedding photography is one of the hardest forms of photography. Your subjects are often not modesl, stressed, unco and uncooperative. You have very limited time and that is nearly always made even less on the day because clients run late. Guests with cameras often get in the way, the priest does not want to see you, it rains, you have to cover for the planner, they forget to feed and water you… you are expected to get result like images in magazines, images which require hours of work, you are expected to accomplish in half an hour.

“Bikini enjoys an extraordinary view of the Naples Gulf and accommodates up to 160 people in a divine outdoor setting. Guests enjoy a genuine kitchen from the sea, completed with typical Italian dairy products and fine Italian wines. The restaurant brags with excellent service, hospitality and professionalism. With a background of a splendid nature and a wonderful seascape, lovingly protected and put in light, it is depicted as an island of comfort and serenity.” Direct text from Castellamare Bikini website

“La Conca del Sogno stands alone upon land which after the war was used exclusively for rock excavation. The private and hidden cove is in a splendid position within Marina del Cantone, shortly after the Sorrento Coastline. With some slightly modern touches, this secret location remembers its small beginnings and reflects some of the old traditions that started this adventure.” Direct text from La Conca del Sogno website

“Situated in an old cloister founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1222, this is another perfect place for a wedding. Its charming chapel is used for wedding ceremonies and the cells that once housed the pious monks have been transformed and given all modern comforts, while holding on to an air of serenity. The hotel’s breathtaking views provide an idyllic backdrop for your day.” Direct text from Hotel Luna website

“Santa Caterina enjoys a panoramic coastal setting of incomparable beauty at the summit of an extensive property. It begins at the Amalfi drive, whose curve hugs the hillside, and tumbles down to the water’s edge in a series of landscaped natural terraces.” Direct text from Santa Caterina website

“Surrounded by scented Tropical and Mediterranean gardens, Il San Pietro di Positano overlooks the world famous bay of Positano. San Pietro has a perfect harmony of luxury and simplicity, which is the secret to a private and charming hotel.” Direct text from Palazzo Murat website

“Housed in an old seventeenth century palace, Hotel Murat has been refurbished in the style of the Neapolitan baroque school of Vanvitelli, carefully conserving its architectural flourish and period objects.” Direct text from Palazzo Murat website

“For an exciting and different epicurean experience, Mamma Agata is the perfect spot. Situated high above the Amalfi Coast, it boasts terraces with views of the cliffs of Ravello cascading down to the sea. This famous and favourite location makes for a personal and intimate wedding.” Direct text from Mamma Agata website

“From the enchanting gardens of this lovingly restored medieval palazzo, your gaze can wander out to the furthest point of the Gulf of Salerno, the Cilent Coast and the archaeological inland area of Paestum. The astounding blues of sky and sea are enhanced by the intense green of the hotel’s Mediterranean gardens.” Direct text from Hotel Palumbo website

“A romantic villa surrounded by a park of over 3000 square metres and beautiful gardens. It offers a view of the incomparable scenery of the Amalfi Coast and is a wonderfully tranquil spot.” Direct text from Villa Eva’s website

“Narrow alleys carved between stucco-fronted houses lead you to Hotel Caruso. Have your wedding set against the panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea or directly on a private section of its lush terraced gardens. The breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast guarantee that your wedding will be special.”

“This is a stunning five-star deluxe hotel that overlooks some of the Amalfi Coast’s most picturesque fishing villages. The hotel is a 12th century Italian villa whose beauty and tranquillity have inspired many famous personalities. General Eisenhower was a resident when he was planning the attack on Monte Cassino, and former guests remember Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini giggling over dinner in the restaurant.” Direct text from Pallazzo Sasso website

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.

However having said that I want to say I love hats. Hats can turn an ordinary girl into a lady. Too big a hat will make couple shots a bit difficult, but have a look at some of Philip Tracey’s more sculptural designs. Most of all I love sculpt caps, box hats and hair pieces with mini veils. They are sexy and elegant and a breathe of fresh time while giving a little wave at retro.

7:30 Get out of church – a lot of kissing and a big group photo takes you at least half an hour often more
8:00 photographs of the two of you (we run ahead to Cimbrone -15 minutes to get to Cimbrone if you weren’t sensible with your dress and shoe choice or it could take an hour)
8:15 Guests make their way up to the Villa
8:30 Guest arrive
8:45 Final guest arrive and you join them and finally have a drink and snack
9:15 unfortunately now we need to do groups before it’s too dark and already boring pictures will be even worse. The bigger your list the longer it will take. So think- Do you really want to be doing loads of boring group shots when it’s cocktail hour and one of the best moments for reportage?
10:00 Dinner and speeches
11:00 Dancing and cake
12:00 Start of after party

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

There is nothing uglier than a controlling, grumpy, sulky, spoilt brat of a bride who has forgotten the reason she is there in the first place. If you are relaxed and having a ball, you will see it in the pictures. You will radiate love if you concentrate on those feelings. Tension, stress and irritation all show up in photography. No one is gorgeous in these states of mind. Having a little trust in the people you have chosen to create you dream, will go a long way to improving your enjoyment on the day. And if you have fun, so will everybody else, and of course my job will be easy. Does it really matter that the ponies are a different pink? So many brides tell me, “it all has to be just perfect, I am a detail person.”

Well while those brides are checking up on the wedding planner (who is doing the 100th wedding) she is missing the best light and the party. You’ve got to let go! This is such a common syndrome among brides and I often work hard in the preparation to loosen them up. For their sakes and of course my own, I want the best pictures possible. So if you are a control freak, promise yourself (and me) that for just one day you are going to let go and enjoy. Or else what is the point of the party.

Many brides, especially Italian brides choose to have their hair down, loose and flowing. But it not something I recommend, unless your ears are big and stick out like mine. The reason being that by the time everybody is done hugging and grabbing you, it’s all going to go flop and look stringy and messy. Basically, anything but pretty. I love simple buns (very high to low) and I have developed a fetish for plates and retro styles. Just have a peep at what Prada and McQueen have been suggesting. And unless you want to be cheeky, ironic and a little pulp forget ringlets. Yes, especially for your bridesmaids if you ever want them to talk to you again.

Have to say that I love love love hats. Feathered, netted, big or small, Philip Tracey rocks my boat . One of his master pieces can turn a damsel into a diva.

Be seriously careful when considering glitter sprays and gel. And horror of horrors the silver foil some Italian hairdressers like to sprinkle in trusting brides hair. NO no no!

Lastly don’t do anything really drastic colour or cut wise just before your wedding. You may end up hating your wedding pictures just because you thought you could look like the model in the photo if you had her hair. Be realistic and remember to work with what you have.

We all know those nasty burny eye drops are no good for your eyes but for just one day in your life keep some handy. Often brides have blood shot eyes from exhaustion, stress and of course tears. Making them white, realistically can be difficult. So with just a little pain on your part, your eyes can sparkle for the day. Hey no one said it would be easy

Now I don’t recommend completely changing the way you look. But I see no reason why brides should not enjoy the advantages supermodels have enjoyed for years. Just take a look at some of these before and after images to get an idea of what I mean.

So if you choose me to be your photographer, I recommend that you discuss with me any complexes or insecurities you have. The touching-up I do to your wedding photos is subtle, so you can’t recognise the changes unless you compare them to the original image. If you want me to do anything above or beyond this, e.g. removing the bump on the bridge of your nose, you need to let me know!

Practise walking in the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day. Especially if you are getting married in a little European village, otherwise you may find you’ll resort to being bare foot on your wedding day. Wear your shoes while you do housework, you can wrap them in cling film to avoid damage. Besides, you do realise very few people will actually see your shoes (yeah sorry about that) but they will notice how you are walking and whether you are still dancing at the end of the night. Though you would be quite entitled to kick off your shoes by the end of the night.

I have a terrible shoe fetish. I salivate and the mere sight of a pair of peep toe pumps so I understand your desire for the sexist shoes possible. But some sexy shoes can make a girl look very “unsexy” if they are going to put her in immense pain on her wedding day.

Consider having handy, a pair of comfortable shoes. (Sorry these won’t fit in my camera bag, but bridesmaids can come in extra handy here.) This way, if you want to walk around a city, up a steep hill or dance the night away at the reception, you have the option to do so in comfort and without risking falling over!

“Why are models so pale?” is a question I often get asked. The answer is simple, if you are pale and you fake tan.. your skin tone will be uneven, you will get blotchy, wrinkly and it just won’t look good.

So –n o fake tan! It may seem a good idea to have a nice tan on your wedding day, but using fake tan leaves your skin looking streaky and orange, even when applied by a professional. Not to mention the risk you run of having your fake tan rub-off and stain your beautiful white wedding gown…

If you can’t resist, use sun beds a week before and make it just a blush. Italian girls really tend to over tan themselves and can look a little leathery in pictures. But I repeat, stay away from fake tan. The paler you are, the more yellow you will become. Your hands will look like you smoke funny stuff in pipes and your feet will always look dirty.

However if you are already quite dark and want to add a little gold, I love the Dior shimmering self tan on dark skins.

Now I know a whole bunch of you will ignore my advice and give me loads to touch up. But PLEASE do not get sunburnt before your wedding (especially bikini straps if you are wearing a strapless dress). You will be uncomfortable and look ridiculous.

Look after yourself in the days leading up to the wedding. Drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep. In particular, ensure that you do not stay up late the night before your wedding. Resting both physically and mentally in the days leading up to your wedding will make a big difference to your appearance and particularly your complexion. Taking “Rescue remedy” can also be a great way to calm your nerves before the ceremony.

Now I know this is a swear word in the wedding world, but if you want to look nearly as good as the girls in magazines, you’ve got to do a little posing. This is usually a very embarrassing concept for most brides, who have often never even had their picture taken professionally. While one is finding the perfect pose, one wastes a little time and often we have to go through one or two that don’t work and make you feel silly.

But, I find plain, classic wedding photographs dull. So whilst I love reportage, I also like making you look gorgeous, so think that something must be said for half an hours worth of funky flattering posing.

So we want posed pictures but we find posing embarrassing. Why? Probably because the first time we ever try it is in front of a complete stranger on our wedding day. So here’s a little tip. I often ask brides who are very good in front of the camera “where did you learn to do that?” they nearly always reply. “I have been practising for years in front of the mirror”

Still not convinced. Let me help you out here. I have big ears and I hate them. But I know when I am having my picture taken, to turn my head a little to the side, so you only see one ear. This way you can hardly see how my ears stick out. If you shoot me head on… well that is a whole other story….

Right I feel you are with me now. The thing to do is to go through some mags and collect a whole bunch of poses you adore. Practise, practise, practise… even as a couple. You will save a whole lot of time on the day and you will naturally look amazing.

Stand up straight and you instantly loose 5kgs. I find the sexiest posture is a little left of the one suggested in finishing school. I prefer the stripper approach… bum out (therefore legs extended upwards), boobs out, lower back gently arched, shoulders dropped back and down. Your head should float up from the base of your neck.

This takes a little practise and no doubt not possible the whole day, but during important moments (portraits) try and ‘extend thy self’. Nothing worse than a slouching bride, and few things are as embarrassing as your wedding photographer telling you to tuck your tummy in.

Okay, so you don’t want to hear it, but there is no product or service in the whole world which will make you look and feel better. Even if you have never exercised before in your whole life, just 40 minutes, three times a week, a few months before your wedding will change everything. Exercise is a fantastic out for stress. So firstly, you will be less likely to turn into a horrid and stressed bridezilla. Then as an added bonus you will look a whole lot better. Less bloated, tighter, harder, smoother and your skin will glow. Forget drastic diets, they make you tired, irritable, saggy, yellow faced and quite unlovable. Eat! Eat! Eat! And include lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. It gives you all the energy and stamina that you need. Especially on the big day! Eat something decent (and if possible before hair and make up).

On the morning of your big day, do a light work out. The ideal is gym because there is nothing like weights to tighten muscles instantly. But anything will do, even a brisk walk or swim in the sea. You will relieve stress, freshen the mind and be a blushing bride with rosy cheeks.

A very long veil, I promise you, will only torment and torture you on the day. It will dust the town. Get hooked on the carpet as you walk down the aisle. People will stand on it and it will make you hot. Most brides spend hundreds on their veils, walk out the church and desperately ask me, “can I take this thing off now?”

Shiny eye make up also simply won’t do. Unless you are a child bride and you are marrying at 17 don’t wear shiny shadows. Again there are exceptions but nearly everybody looks older and sillier and the camera doesn’t like it much either.

I say this cautiously because when you make yourself a dark red colour and your skin is tired and wrinkled, it becomes difficult to do a pretty picture. Especially when you are wearing white and if your partner is the colour of snow. Further, if you are trying desperately to look slimmer and try a tan for the first time you might never look at the pictures and feel like you are looking at yourself.

1. The first is your hairstyle. Avoid all ‘up’ do’s and instead go with a nice, tidy hair down.
2. Think about adding a hat (yes you grooms too!), or a big side flower in your hair, as a feature. A great cover and eye distracter.
3. The best one for the boys – There are some great tricks your photographer can also use to help you. Go for side on profile pictures or 3/4 face on. By avoiding 100% face on, it will cut down the angles.
4. Don’t wear stud earrings that stick to your ears. Instead consider long dangly earrings which will draw the attention away from your ears.

Have some portraits done where a perfect pose can be found to minimize the size of your nose. If you just have only reportage images there will loads of profile images.

Ensure that your priest or celebrist knows your full names and pronouncation like the back of his/her hand. This can save embarrassing muddle ups.

Reserve seats for family members in the first two seating rows. This can be done cutely with nice name cards (e.g Father of Bride, Mother of Bride…etc etc)

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)

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.

ASOS – just put in your dress size, white or cream and off you go

All Saints – yummy yummy but you need to be super cool to the bone to put it off

Vintage – for a dash of vintage which is all the rage right now

Net-a-porter – expensive and could be as expensive but if you scratch you will find hidden jewels

The list of my favourite fashion haunts tomorrow … tune in again.

If you do find one and decide to hire a make up artist make sure you insist on a trial first.

“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.

And lets save 5 % for the unexpected. The perfect balance is different for every couple. Some couple elope and it’s just the two of them. It’s impossible just to do candids of two people. As a general rule of thumb it’s harder to do reportage the smaller the group. With elopement couples we tend to like portraits the most. But we also do albums which are one hundred percent reportage. Many couples ask for reportage but when they show me which of my pictures they like, they nearly always show me posed pictures i.e. portraits which do not look posed.

It is important to realise that the images, album, etc. are only part of what I offer. I also pride myself on offering the best kind of personal service. I encourage you to discuss all your thoughts and concerns with me. Each and every wedding is important to me and I spend a lot of time and effort on every detail, before, during and after the wedding. To get really good pictures you need to feel there is a friend who has an idea of who you are and what you want from the day of your wedding. I consider it part of my job to go this extra mile, since my photographs will be all that remain after the cake has been eaten.