Hello, my name is Kaylina and I’m a recovering Pinterest Addict. When I first discovered Pinterest I was in college and spent most of my part time job as an office assistant on the site pinning crafts I would never complete, recipes I would never attempt, and decorations for a house I would never own. Pinterest is kind of known for that I think – aspirations of a picture perfect life most of us will never have, but it’s always fun to dream. I will say though that I’ve found three very useful purposes for Pinterest as a photographer.
1. I use Pinterest to get a feel for my brides on a personal level
When I first meet with a couple I ask if they’re on Pinterest and, if they are, to send me a follow request because I find that I can learn so much about a person from their Pinterest boards. Not only can I get a sneak peek at their wedding from any wedding boards a bride might have, I normally can get a good understanding of their sense of humor, if they’re animal lovers, book worms, movie fans, or fashion forward. Now obviously, I’m making a lot of assumptions by doing this (if you looked at my profile you’d think I like to cook. I actually like to eat. I have no idea how to cook), but it gives me a rough idea of who the bride is as a person and allows me to interact with them on another level before the big day.
2. I use Pinterest to gauge my brides’ photography style
If a bride doesn’t already have a wedding and engagement photography board, I ask her to make one. And no, it is NOT because I want to copy all the pictures she pins. I ask a bride to make a photography board so I can see what kind of pictures she is drawn to and what kind of pictures she would like to get out of the experience. I might notice that a bride has posted a lot of super snuggly, flirty pictures so I know to plan for a fun, candid session. If I notice that a bride pins more editorial, high fashion images I’ll plan for more serious, intimate poses. Sometime brides will post 5 or 6 different pictures of the same pose so that obviously lets me know that we should at least try out that pose or something similar.
3. I use Pinterest to give some last minute tips to my brides
I normally check out my brides’ boards about 2 weeks before a session to gauge their style and give out any last minute tips. If I notice that the bride has posted a lot of pictures of girls in heels, I’ll suggest they bring heels to the session, even if just for one outfit. You’d be surprised how much high heels can change a picture. If they’ve posted a lot of pictures with props (blankets, baskets, balloons, etc.) I’ll check in and see if they’re planning on bringing anything with them to their engagement shoot. I also check in to make sure the pictures she’s been pinning are realistic. If she’s the same bride that posted a bunch of snuggly, flirty pictures but her man is adamantly against PDA, we’re going to run in to a problem.
Again, the idea is not to copy any of the pictures from Pinterest – I’ve just found it to be a helpful tool to make sure that both myself and the bride are on the same page going in to an engagement shoot or wedding. Knowing a bride’s style and expectations before hand makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone. And getting another person addicted to Pinterest is always a bonus.
If you’d like to check out my style or make assumptions about my personality, you can look at my Pinterest boards here.
Keep smiling!
Kaylina
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