A Photographer’s and Videographers Delight
Experienced photographers and videographers have learned how to find the best backdrops and poses to emphasize light in the most unexpected places. We know how to direct a shoot to get the most out of a location, yet I bet few have shared how we think and what we are looking for in a great location. I will go through a few basics that make me say ” That is a perfect location for a wedding”.
If you are deciding between two venues and want to ensure your photos turn out the best, you might want to take these aspects into consideration when deciding.
Shading
Tall Thick Tree Covering, Covered Patios
When I come to a new venue the first thing I am looking for is a good background with a large block of shade. Sprinkling is our enemy when taking group shots. It can be fun to play with for creative shots but not when it comes to group family photos. It’s important for you to check out your venue at the same time of day as your actual wedding. I also look for areas with great natural backlighting for the bride and groom.
Variety
Nature, Stairways, Unique Chairs, Fountains, Railroad Tracks, Clean Backdrops, Bricks, Pillars, Benches, Archways, Alleys
Once I have found my block of shade and have mapped out my plan of attack for the family photos, I look for creative backdrops. I look for fountains, stairways, simple solid and clean backdrops like sides of buildings, unique furniture and lighting features, pillars, archways and alleys. The more options the better. This allows for more creative fun shots. Trust me those are the shots you will treasure. Clean lines and simple – clear angles that create interest and depth of field. When I show up to a great venue, I see so many places I want to take a photo that I have to pace myself. I then map out the order of shots in my head of the Bride and Groom. Do you want to give a gift to your photographer? Pick a venue with many different elements to draw from.
Magic
Flowering Fields, Tall Grass, Long Tree Lined Roads, Sunset Backdrops, Alleyways, Flowering Archways, Willow Tree, Night Lights
I love seeing all of the decorations in the light of day and capturing those beautiful crisps shots that are those classic shots but my all time favorite shots are when the sun is setting. We live for that hour of magic when it seems like the trees glow along with everything around it. Those shots hold wonder and the “WOW” factor. That’s what we love! Pick a venue that allows for a great place to sneak out to during the reception to get those magical shot. I recently shot a wedding where the reception was on their family’s property. I was able to invite them away for a 20 minute shoot with the sunsetting through the pine trees creating wonder and beautiful light rays. These are the shots that you are longing for, pure magic.
Park Winters
Winters, CA
This is personally one of my favorite venues for both video and photography. There are so many interesting backdrops both inside and out. The renovated lighthouse is small but interesting and fun to capture the groom and his groomsmen. The different levels allow me to get a high to low shot and capture the energy of them getting ready. I am also able to pull the groom away to another level for those individual shots. The Inn is perfect for the bride as she hangs with her bridal party and soaks in the emotions of the day. The natural light in the upstairs front room is perfect for mom helping with buttoning up the dress and capturing the full gown. The magic happens on the elegant stairway for the first look. The many interesting chairs and couches are great for capturing the bride and groom. I also love the cottage out back full of dried flowers creating a country eclectic feel. The fountain, gates and beautiful grounds are perfect for finding shade and lush greenery. If you head over to the reception hall the back porch overlooks a beautiful sunflower field. If you are lucky your wedding will be when they bloom. The view is framed by a long gas fire pit or flame. The open courtyard and fire turn the grounds into a wonderland as the sunsets. When I hear that a wedding is at Park Winters I smile.
Fairmont Hotel San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
What can you say about this amazing 5 Star Hotel? It has history grand staircases and best of all an amazing Penthouse available to the bride and groom. The view of the city in the background and the grand rotunda and ballroom make it a dream come true. It is a bit of a challenge getting a few shots in the streets of San Francisco because it is so busy. It did add to the energy of the shots. If you are wanting highend elegance and a city feel this is the place for you.
The Grand Island Mansion
Walnut Grove, CA
The Grand Island Mansion has has a variety of photography options both inside and out. It has one of my favorite stairways in the entryway and lower level to take grand photos and video. The fountain in the front and back are great for interest and foreground shots. A big block of shade is harder to find but doable at the ceremony site depending on the time of the day.
Forest Hill, CA
This venue hits the top 5 list simply because of the wedding ceremony location. It is a short ten minute drive from the lodge to the outdoor ceremony location. The view and surrounding forest area is perfect for photos after the wedding. The lodge does limit you a little as there is only a small courtyard that has sprinkled sunlight but is a great place to get a night shot or two. The interesting and fun bachelors pad on the lower level makes for great groomsmen photos but is a bit more challenging because of how dark it is. Your photographer will definitely need a flash and possible extra lighting. The bridal sweet does not have a lot of natural light to draw from but is doable. The reception area is small but works as the balcony gives for great escape from the tight quarters. The old town bar area allows for fun photos as well. There is also an area across the street from the Forest House Lodge with interesting old doors and brick backdrops. You would have to capture it before the ceremony.
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The Citizen Hotel
Sacramento, CA
If you want to experience the city, than the Citizen Hotel is for you. We love the penthouse at the top of the hotel that has such a fantastic view of the city. The rooms have such a regal feel that allows for great backgrounds for both video and photography. The back streets are also fun to explore for a few brick backdrops. It is also a few blocks aways from a The Cathedral of the Catholic Sacrament. It is a beautiful back drop for photos with a great set of stairs to take group shots on. I enjoy the feel of the sitting room and the velvet chairs and books. The sitting room is dark so you will definitely need a flash to capture the bride and groom well.
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Brookshire Gardens
El Dorado, CA
I love the quaint country feel of the bridal suite, ceremony and reception. The ceremony locations is beautiful surrounded by trees and beautiful foliage. There are plenty of places to capture the bride and groom in a small garden area off of the bridal sweet. The challenges are with where the groomsmen get ready. It was a small uninteresting building without a garden or place to go to without bringing them to the garden outside of the bridal sweet. If you are wanting a small country wedding this is a great location. The reception is held out on a large grassy area between the bridal sweet and the groomsmen quarters.
The Fire House
Sacramento, CA
The Fire House’s courtyard is perfect for a small and intimate wedding. The big old trees that embrace the ceremony and reception area make you feel like you have been transported to Europe. The magic happens as the sunsets. All the trees are lit up creating a magic wonderland for night weddings. The reception is held in the same location as the ceremony so the wedding party and family group are directed to a bar area as they set up tables for the reception. That process limits where you can take the family photos after the ceremony. I chose to use the side alley because the bridal party was so large (10 on each side). There was a lot of activity in the side alley of bikers, cars and pedestrians. You could walk to areas in Old Town Sacramento but there are so many people shopping and your time is very limited (30min). It is not ideal on a limited time schedule. The rest of the wedding guests are waiting in a covered bar area bordering the courtyard. The food is some of the best I have had at weddings. This didn’t make it in the top 5 because of the lack of variety or styles of backgrounds and the practical challenges of time constraints and good locations for family photos. It is certainly one of the best locations for night weddings.
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Mountain Shadows Retreat
Forest Hill, CA
This location is worth mentioning for the view alone. I love that everything is at one location and all areas have a beautiful view to enjoy. It accommodates very small and intimate weddings. The lack of variety of backdrops kept this from the top five. There was a lot of clutter that had to be removed post edit around the covered barn area. The sunsets to the side of the property making it challenging not to get all of the clutter in the shots. The front lawn area could be landscaped differently to create beautiful backdrops for photos yet it couldn’t go unmentioned because of the amazing view during the ceremony and while eating at the reception.
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Fausel Ranch
Placerville, CA
Fausel Ranch is truly a quiet and intimate country setting. My favorite part is the creek bordering the property with a wonderful swing perfect for capturing a few fun shots. The two small old homes set up for the bride and groom are picturesque and perfect for wedding prep. They are far enough apart to prevent an accidental sighting of each other before the big moment. When the sun sets tea lights are sprinkled on the rocks through out the creek. It is quite magical as the lights on the gazebo also turn on for all to dance under. The owners are so kind and allow for pictures with their beautiful horse. If you are a horse lover you will love getting a few pics with their horse.
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New Venue Worth Mentioning
Oasis K-Ranch
Lincoln, Ca
Oasis K-Ranch opened in 2019 and has many unique qualities that separate it from other venues such as their own private lake. As the sunsets over the lake it truly holds a magic that makes you say “Wow!” Your ability to hold your ceremony overlooking the lake is quite fantastic. Oasis K-Ranch’s Lakeside Dining Room (shown above) has open access from both sides creating a nice breeze and open air feel. The accommodations above the Lakeside Dining Room are top notch with wonderful lighting for photos of the bride and bridal party as they get ready. As Oasis K-Ranch continues to add to their property creating more areas for shade and a variety of backdrops including archways and stairs, this may easily become one of my top 5 venues. Also, did I mention how nice the owners are? They truly care and connect to how important your wedding day is and are honored to serve. When you meet Duane, the owner, tell him Jodi sent you from Webinet Photography.
View Wedding Pictures and Highlight Video at Location
Final Note
We’ve Got You 🙂
We love the challenge of coming to a wedding venue for the first time and deciding where to take photos and how the day will flow for the photo sessions. If you are not thrilled about getting your photos taken, no worries. We have a few tricks up our sleeves that help loosen everyone up to capture the magic. We know how stressful a wedding can be and hope to rejuvenate your connection during the photoshoot to reconnect you to what the day is really all about. It’s about your love for each other and the commitment you are making for the rest of your life. No matter what the venue offers a good photographer or videographer will find the magic and capture it. Don’t worry we’ve got you.
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