Introduction

Welcome to the Cinemotive team! This guide aims to familiarize you with the core elements of our unique shooting style and techniques. Our brand is synonymous with Cinematic Realism—a blend of cinematic flair and authentic emotion. Please read through this document carefully as it will provide you with the artistic and technical guidelines you need to produce work that fits seamlessly into our portfolio.

Cinematic Realism: The Hallmark of Cinemotive

At the heart of our style is Cinematic Realism, a storytelling technique that combines cinematic aesthetics with a focus on genuine emotion and moments. Here’s a breakdown of what that means:

Cinematic Aesthetics

• Composition: Frame subjects in a way that draws attention to them while also revealing context or background details that add to the story.

• Lighting: Utilize both natural and artificial light to create dynamic, dramatic, and visually compelling scenes.

• Color Grading: Our signature color grade emphasizes deep, rich colors with balanced highlights and shadows to create a cinematic look.

Authentic Moments

• Candid Captures: We avoid overly posed shots and instead focus on capturing spontaneous, heartfelt moments.

• Emotional Resonance: Always aim for photographs that can evoke emotion, whether it’s joy, love, or even nostalgia.
  
  

Core Techniques

Pre-wedding and Bridal Prep Shots

• Soft Focus: Use a soft focus for bridal portraits to give them a dreamy, timeless quality.

• Details: Pay attention to capturing intricate details—whether it’s the lace on a gown, the intricacies of jewelry, or the elegance of handwritten vows.

Ceremony and Reception

• Multiple Angles: Always look for multiple angles and perspectives. Don’t just stick to eye-level shots; experiment with high and low angles as well.

• The “Golden Moments”: First kiss, vow exchange, ring ceremony—these are what we call the “Golden Moments.” They are non-negotiables; you must capture them.

Dynamic Motion

• Action Shots: Be ready to capture fast-paced moments. These include, but are not limited to, dances, confetti shots, and the couple’s exit.

• Depth: Use depth to add a three-dimensional feel to your photos. Foreground elements can add depth and draw the viewer into the scene.

The Final Flourish: Post-Production

• Retouching: Light skin retouching is acceptable, but the aim is to keep the subject looking as natural as possible.

• Consistency: Maintain a consistent look and feel in terms of color grading and lighting across all images for a cohesive final product.

Important Policy Reminders

• No Burnouts: We do not capture car and bike burnouts at weddings. Despite parking well away from the house, our vehicles have suffered damage in the past due to these activities.

• Exclusivity During Key Moments: With the increasing trend of On-the-Day Social Media Content Creators, please be aware of our policy requiring exclusivity during key moments like bridal preps and specific photoshoots.

By adhering to these style and technique guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to producing work that is quintessentially Cinemotive. We’re excited to have you onboard and can’t wait to see the incredible stories you’ll help us tell.

Happy shooting!