My fiancé and I really want to have a nighttime wedding, but I’ve heard that will spell disaster for our pictures. What do you think we should do?

Go for it! You should always do what makes you happy! At A Touch of Soul Productions, we come equipped to handle any lighting situation and have years of experience with many different venues and circumstances, including nighttime weddings. Because you never have to worry about your images not coming out nicely, go ahead and have your dream wedding and leave the details to us! We have shot in the darkest of dark chapels and reception halls so no need to worry! If the situation allows, we will set up additional lighting to ensure we get focused pictures. Some chapels do not allow for flash photography; and for that reason, we shoot on cameras with superb low-light performance and lenses with low apertures

We’d love to set aside some time for an engagement shoot. Is this something you do?

We sure do! Engagement shoots are complimentary with all our photo packages. We work with you to plan the engagement shoot of your dreams, including location selection and wardrobe recommendations. Additionally, we can even help you design pieces for your wedding using your engagement shoot photos for sign-in boards, guest books, save-the-date cards, thank you cards, table place settings, and much more. A Touch of Soul also offers many wonderful album options to help you remember your engagement shoot forever. Be sure to check out our other blog post for more information about scheduling your own engagement shoot for a lifetime of special memories! 

 

Jessica + Gabe - Heisler Park, CA

What is your Photography Style?

We believe that capturing our couples as themselves is our main goal. Our photography styles typically vary for our clients, but we love our natural light bright and airy, while providing our couples with colorful and dramatic images as well! Our first question to our clients is; do you have a particular style you love? Our style again varies, but is consistent. Although we are not in a closed set and the day goes so quick, we strive within the constraints of a busy wedding day.

What equipment do you use?

All of our gear is professional grade SLR's. Ranging from Sony A9's and A7III's, G master and Zeiss Lenses, Canon Mirrorless and Mark IV's and L level lenses throughout. On top of that, we have our audio gear that range from some of the highest quality Tascam systems and H6 audio recorders. 

What if our ceremony is in a different language?

We have also covered many weddings in which we do not speak the primary language of the ceremony. We approach these weddings with research, understanding the traditions and culture of the wedding. We also have talk-through meetings with our couples before the wedding to ensure we are aware of the major moments. Lastly, we always ensure that we stay alert, leaning on the instincts that we have developed for capturing the emotion and the stories at any given moment.

In our cinematography, if our editors do not understand the language spoken, we take a similar approach. First, we ensure that we have strong communication with you to understand the important moments from the day. We also find aspects in English to drive the story. This might be a heartfelt toast at the reception or personal messages that you give to each other, recorded during your wedding preparation.

So while different languages can present challenges, in the end, artistry, creativity, and storytelling are all universal concepts that our team will portray in your photography and cinematography.

Ashley + Steve - Coto De Caza

Is there a style or quality difference among the photographers at ATOS?

No. We take every measure to ensure consistent style and quality among our photographers. We have developed the unique style you see in our work over the years. Each shoot is reviewed to ensure our quality and style are consistent. All mistakes, no matter how minor, are scrutinized by the team. We trust that the quality and style of photography you receive will be consistent. However, we tailor our shooting style and techniques to our client requests. For example, some clients may prefer a light and airy look while others may prefer dramatic lighting and shadows. In the end, we want to capture the best version of YOU! =)

Do you deliver every image you shoot?

No, we do not. We want to give you everything and anything we shoot - it's your day and we feel like we should never keep this away from our couples. However, we do eliminate duplicate images, test shots, missed focused shots, shots with bad expressions and other images that may dilute the overall product delivery. For example, because we shoot with low apertures, sometimes we take a few extra shots to make sure we have the perfect focus. We don’t expect you to have the expertise or the time to zoom into each image to select the one with the sharpest focus, so we spend hours doing that on our end. In another example, candid laughs and emotional tears are some of the best images from the day. Unfortunately, they can also yield some unflattering facial expressions. We might snap a few extras of any of these moments to make sure we have a great shot with the ideal expression for the moment. With our expertise of processing millions of images each year, we may eliminate ones that we feel are duplicates and only deliver the best one.

Do you provide raws?

We typically do not. But we aren't against it if this is something that you absolutely want and need for the day. Our job is to give you everything and anything we can fully edit and color grade to its best but we never keep anything away from you that would add to this memorable day. 

Yvonne + Nirav - Wilson Creek Winery, CA

Which photographer or shooter will be shooting my wedding?

Typically, the photographer you meet with will be the photographer for your engagement session and wedding. Not only will you meet your shooter on that day but you will begin the process with our entire team. It's a process leading into your day and its our job to create an experience for you from beginning to the moment you receive your final product. You may request to meet with a specific photographer; otherwise, we’ll make the decision based on personality, availability, language abilities, and your referral. 

Do you edit everything? 

Yes we do. Every image we deliver is post produced with our unique signature style of post-production. This involves color correction, exposure adjustment, selective black and white processing, clarity adjustments, tone-mapping, and other corrections

Do you think 8 hours is enough time? 

Yes. In many cases, 8 hours would work great. We build our packages by gauging what the average couple built for themselves. However, whenever it involves a ton of culture such as tea ceremonies or middle eastern weddings, we would recommend at least 10-12 hours to ensure as much of the day is covered. 
 

Have a question? We’d love to hear from you and answer your question in a future blog post!

Please send your question to [email protected]

Click HERE to talk to us about your special day!

Winner of The Knot Best of Weddings for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and most recently been inducted into the Knot hall of fame. Also featured on the latest issue of Ceremony Magazine (OC), San Diego Style Magazine and winners for Couples Choice 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Wedding Wire/Brides Magazine. A Touch of Soul Productions specializes in Photography, Cinematography and Photo Booth services. We strive to capture your wedding with a fresh perspective and the way it should always be remembered. We are honored to showcase your wedding day through our unique vision and capturing the moments that matter most.

 

 

Considering an Engagement Session?  Good news! They’re complimentary with every photo package we offer!

Booking an engagement is super special for several reasons! First, this time allows you to get comfy in front of the camera with your photographer, figuring out how you work best together before the wedding. Next, you can showcase your unique and amazing personalities in a more casual setting, while also creating some super fun images for wall portraits, your wedding sign-in book, sign-in board and Thank You cards (shot early enough, we can also provide the images for your Save The Date cards and invitations). Images also add another dimension to your wedding album, chronicling the story from engagement to your wedding day!

Best of all, you can remember this special time forever away from the throngs of loved ones and friends. This is your special time together!

Read below for A Touch of Soul’s top 12 engagement shoot ideas! Click here to book with ATOS!

Anne + Greg - La Jolla Coves, CA Shana + Kenny - Korean Friendship Bell + Signal Hill

• At the place he proposed: After all, what better way to capture an engagement than the place it all started!

• At your favorite restaurant: Meaningful memories happen with food, ambiance and your special song playing in the background.

• Doing your favorite activity: You both enjoy playing checkers. What better way to capture your personality than in the heat of game play, the agony of defeat, or the comedy of contemplating your next move?

• Where you first met each other: Whether your first meeting was a discussion at the library or fumbling for the door at the local coffee shop, going back to your beginnings is a marvelous memory! 

Jessica + Gabe - Heisler Park, CA Binh + Michael - Heisler Park

•  Images with your pet: What better way to capture your new family than by including a beloved shared pet in your session?

• Your favorite skyline: Your city is beautiful at any time of the year, and the skyline shares where you live now, a beautiful location that might change with time.

• A downtown urban session: Fun and funky, pictures in alleyways or in otherwise undiscovered locations of your area make for a more intimate view of the city. 

• An amusement park:  Nothing says fun like the Tilt-A-Whirl to go with your whirlwind romance.

Eliza + John - Victoria Beach Jaime + Brian - Disneyland, CA

• A romantic beach:  In the morning, evening or any time of day, the sea meets an endless sky for a feeling of forever. 

• Vintage-styled, with old furniture and funky clothes: Bring out your nostalgic or avantgarde side with some dramatic, edgy modern shots coupled with retro stylings.

• At your favorite, cute coffee shop: Quirky and cozy, local mom and pop shops are a great way to take a quick break to refuel and to catch some local, architectural shots with you in the process.

• Seasonal: Catch the nuances of the seasons, including everything from a winter wonderland, to leaves of fall, to flowers in spring, to the lush, green summers in nearby beautiful fields and forests.

Lena + My - Arlington Garden & Pasadena City Hall Naomi + Mario - Carbon Canyon

Engagements are so endearing! Romance is in the air and the anticipation of a lifetime together comes to a crescendo in the rush during the weeks leading up to your wedding, causing you to wonder: Is an engagement shoot necessary? YES!! After all, your wedding pictures share the beginning of your life, right? 

Click HERE to talk to us about your special day!

Winner of The Knot Best of Weddings for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and most recently been inducted into the Knot hall of fame. Also featured on the latest issue of Ceremony Magazine (OC), San Diego Style Magazine and winners for Couples Choice 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Wedding Wire/Brides Magazine. A Touch of Soul Productions specializes in Photography, Cinematography and Photo Booth services. We strive to capture your wedding with a fresh perspective and the way it should always be remembered. We are honored to showcase your wedding day through our unique vision and capturing the moments that matter most.
 

 

 

Guide: Our Formula for the Perfect Wedding Day Hair & Makeup

We know how important hair and makeup are to you, especially on your wedding day!  We talked to some of our brides and came up with a few tips and tricks that will make your day as flawless as you are! =)

• Be sure to have a hair and makeup trial at least a month before your wedding. This will give you peace of mind to know exactly how you will look and give you the opportunity to change things in advance if necessary. Make sure to bring all jewelry to the trial to see how makeup shades work with the pieces.

• Have your florist deliver your flowers to where you are getting ready, not the ceremony venue. Since you never know when the mood will strike for a great photo, you’ll want your flowers there and ready to go.

• Find out what the rules for photographs are at the ceremony location. All venues are different, some restricting the location of photographs and even the times in which they are permitted.

• If possible, arrange to have your formal photographs taken before the ceremony. Getting this step out of the way early in the day frees up the rest of your time to spend with your guests. You will be able to go straight to cocktail hour and catch up with loved ones without stress. It’s a new age, so it’s no longer considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. 

• Have food delivered to your getting ready location. It may be hectic, but take the time to have a bite before the wedding since it will be a while before you have the opportunity to nourish yourself during the reception. 

• Prepare an emergency bridal kit with clear nail polish, mints, a sewing kit, stain treater, eye drops, safety pins, bobby pins, pain reliever, and mini deodorant.

• Allowing 50% more time for hair and makeup than you originally anticipated alleviates the number one reason wedding schedules end up running late. This will assure you have plenty of time for all the portraits you want to take before the wedding. 

• Make sure you discuss a “rain plan” with your venue just in case Mother Nature doesn’t see sunshine in the cards.

 

Ashley + Steve - Cota De Caza Christine + Mark - The Fullerton Club Jackie + Garrett - Serendipity Gardens Jenn + Colton - The Cliffs Pismo BeachMakeup by Anna Grimes @makeup_by_anna_grimes http://www.makeupbyannagrimes.com [email protected] Kayla + Jacob - Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa Yvette + Kenneth - Wayfarers Chapel
Margaret + Bryan - UC Irvine Kelsey + Brent - Fullerton Arboretum

Winner of The Knot Best of Weddings for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and most recently been inducted into the Knot hall of fame. Also featured on the latest issue of Ceremony Magazine (OC), San Diego Style Magazine and winners for Couples Choice 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Wedding Wire/Brides Magazine. A Touch of Soul Productions specializes in Photography, Cinematography and Photo Booth services. We strive to capture your wedding with a fresh perspective and the way it should always be remembered. We are honored to showcase your wedding day through our unique vision and capturing the moments that matter most.