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Wedding Coordinator vs Planner – Key Differences

Even way before you planned for your engagement and wedding, you might have already heard the two terms ‘wedding coordinator’ and ‘wedding planner’. Most of the people think that they are the same person with the same responsibilities. But that is not necessarily the same. While you appoint a wedding planner for planning the entire wedding for you, the planner may take on the role of being a wedding coordinator on the wedding day. On the other hand, the wedding coordinator is considered as a completely separate professional for the couple who do the entire planning by themselves. Well, if this wedding coordinator vs planner sounds confusing, then read on.

Wedding Coordinator vs Planner

Do not worry if you are confused with these two terms. In this article we have described the wedding planner and the wedding coordinator separately to ensure that you can understand the concept in the right way.

Wedding Coordinator vs Planner

Role of a wedding planner:

The wedding planner is a person whose main job is to make sure that your wedding is exactly as perfect as you want it to be. You can hire this person right after you get engaged to plan your wedding. You can figure out your budget first and then hire a planner to work on it. You have to share your ideas, vision and exactly what your wedding to be like. Based on that, the wedding planner will help you to pick the right wedding venue, florist, wedding cake, furniture rentals and more. Even though they will help you to plan the invitations too based on the theme. Wedding planner is also responsible for creating a more detailed timeline as well as a budget for your wedding so that you can stick to that. They have a vast knowledge and detailed information about the best vendors in your locality to make your wedding vision become a reality.

 

Role of a wedding coordinator:

The wedding coordinator can be the greatest thing on your wedding day. They are the person who is behind the curtain but make sure that everything is perfect and going smoothly on your wedding day. They are not the person with whom you will sit and make plans for the wedding right after your engagement. But they will analyze all your research and plans for your big day and turn your plans into a reality. They make sure the tables are set on time, the correct music is playing, the guests are seated at the right place and all the arrangements are perfect. Their duty is mainly to see that the ceremony is exactly like it is planned from the start to its end.

Wedding Coordinator vs Planner

Conclusion

So, if you were confused about wedding coordinator vs planner, hope everything is clear to you by now. You can now decide whether you need a wedding planner who can also act as a coordinator on your wedding day or you just need a wedding coordinator for your wedding. Everything depends on your personal preferences as well as on your budget. After all everyone want their wedding to be simply perfect.

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Wedding Photography Checklist for Photographers

Shooting a wedding can be a bit overwhelming. You need to get everything just right because weddings only happen once and your photos will be a reminder of the couple’s special day. While it takes some experience to become an expert, having a photography checklist can work wonders. Here’s a wedding photography checklist for photographers looking to get the best shots.

Wedding Photography Checklist for Photographers

This article outlines different lists and tips of shots that wedding photographers should include in their checklist.

The Pre-Ceremony Shots

These are likely to the easiest to shoot. Take this time to grab a few bridal party photos and detailed shots. Consider having a second shooter so you can split between taking shots of the girls and the guys. Some of the shots to take include:

  • Bride’s Shoes
  • Rings
  • Candid Shots of Everyone and Everything
  • Groom and Father (If applicable)
  • Groom’s Cake
  • Wedding Cake
  • Wedding Programs
  • Groomsmen Plus Groom Group Shots
  • Bridesmaids Plus Bride Group Shots
  • Grooms Shoes
  • Bride’s Jewelry
  • Any Sentimental Items
  • Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Ties
  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses
Wedding Photography Checklist for Photographers
Photo by: Awesomesauce Photography

The Ceremony Shots

You’ll need to communicate with your client before the actual wedding dates because you need to know what’s happening and when it’s happening. You don’t want to risk missing some shots at the wedding venue because you weren’t told about it. Nonetheless, you need to be prepared for anything. Here are a few shots to consider:

  • Best man, groom and minister walking to the venue.
  • Bridal party walking to the aisle (most often they’ll stop for a second to allow for a shot).
  • Bride and father before walking out.
  • Bride and father walking down the aisle.
  • The groom’s reaction.
  • The bride’s father giving her away (you’ll also want to capture the grooms face too).
  • Specific shots as mentioned by your client..
  • Speakers during the ceremony.
  • Exiting the venue.
  • The kiss. You cannot afford to miss this one.

Post Ceremony Shots

For these, consider starting with the largest group/family then work your way to immediate family. Ministers will often have somewhere else to be so you might want to start with them. here are some shots to consider:

  • Wedding couple plus ministers.
  • Wedding couple alone.
  • Full bridal party.
  • Wedding couple plus bride’s parents and siblings.
  • Wedding couple plus bride’s grandparents, parents and siblings.
  • Wedding couple plus bride’s entire family.
  • Wedding couple plus groom’s parents and siblings.
  • Wedding couple plus groom’s grandparents, parents and siblings.
  • Wedding couple plus groom’s entire family.

Reception Shots

For the reception, you can breathe a little. Work with the DJ as they can be quite helpful at this stage. Some of the shots to take include:

  • The bridal party entering the venue.
  • Bridal parties dance.
  • Bride and groom’s first dance.
  • Groom and mom’s first dance.
  • Bride and dad’s first dance.
  • Garter toss.
  • Cake cutting.
  • Toast with the bridal party.
  • Bouquet toss.
  • Bride with whoever caught the Bouquet.
  • Groom with whoever caught the garter.
  • Candid photos of people eating, talking, dancing, etc.
  • The exit.

Bottom Line

This wedding photography checklist for photographers can act as a simple template. Of course, different situations and cultures will call for different shots. Make sure you talk to your clients before and come up with an exact list of what they want.

 

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Wedding Day Coordination – Preventing Wedding Day Worry

While your wedding day is exciting, it can also be a pretty stressful time. If you get the wedding day coordination right and actually understand what is going to happen at each stage of the wedding, it should help things run a little smoother. 

Wedding Day Coordination

It is really a good idea to have a wedding coordinator to take charge of some of the final details for you. Carry on reading to discover the order of events both leading up to and during the wedding, and especially the role of the coordinator during these moments.

Wedding Day Coordination

The Wedding Day Prep

 

Not weddings are entirely the same but there is certain preparation before most weddings that go-ahead to ensure that the day itself goes well. In the weeks or days leading up to the wedding, your wedding planner or coordinator will meet up with you (the couple and other people closely involved in the wedding). A wedding day schedule will then be built up based on your individual needs where you can make sure you point out any requirements that you have. You will also need to give the planner information about vendors for the big day and contact information for them. They can use everything you give them to make sure the wedding goes without a hitch, so make sure that you cover everything in this pre-wedding meet up and don’t be afraid to ask any questions too.

 

The Day of the Wedding

 

If everything is in order, there is not much for you to do on the day of the wedding, apart from making yourself look amazing. The coordinator will set up the venue, taking care of details such as decorations, flowers, and seating. All the vendors will come and set up their individual roles for the big day so that everything is ready for when the guests arrive.

Wedding Day Coordination

During the Ceremony

 

While all the hard work is now done, there are still some important jobs for the coordinator to complete when the ceremony is taking place. This includes making sure that guests are sitting in the correct places as per the seating plan. Another role is ensuring that the right music is played for the entrances and all the decorations are in the right places according to your preferences and prior discussion.

 

At the Reception

 

While the planners’ job is almost done, there are still a few jobs that need to be completed. This includes making sure all guests are shown to the reception, ensuring that food stations are set and drinks are being served at the correct time to guests, putting gifts in the proper place and so on. As the evening goes on, some final tasks for the coordinator might include directing the happy couple to dinner and make sure the speeches, toasts, cutting of the cake and more goes to plan.

 

Conclusion

 

As you can see, there are many roles that a wedding coordinator/ has for your big day, so it’s important that you choose somebody who has experience in this kind of job. This wedding day coordination will take some of the stress off you and means that you can just go with the flow as you make some amazing memories.

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Funny Bridal Entrance Songs

Traditional bridal entrance songs have somewhat always had a slow, set tone. However, you don’t always have to have a settled order, ritual and music. If you want your guests to be more involved and you’re bored with old conventions, consider using funny bridal entrance songs that will keep your guests happy through their fun lyrics and rhythm.Funny Bridal Entrance Songs

Funny Bridal Entrance Songs

In this article, we’ll consider a few funny songs that you can choose for your wedding ceremony entrance or your reception.

Pharrell Williams – Happy

This song is without a doubt Happy. It will have your guests smiling, laughing and clapping, especially if you’re able to incorporate some nice choreography to match the song. It’s also an amazing track for a noisy round of applause.

Meghan Trainor – Dear Future Husband

This song has some quirky lyrics and can make for a great entrance song before the ceremony. It’s a fun song that will keep your guests in a good mood.

George Strait – Lovebug

Honky-tonk songs always seem to have a stimulating beat and Gorge Strait’s Lovebug is an ideal example of this. He manages to pair a merry rhythm with even happier lyrics about Love. This song will work especially well for a country-style wedding.

Haddaway – What Is Love

This song is quite popular, and the lyrics are very catchy. It’s an appropriate song for weddings especially if you consider the lyrics.

LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It

This is another wedding favorite, but you should put on a show to go with the song’s heavy beat. If you’re sure you can pull it off, then you’ll give your guests a wedding experience they’ll be talking about for decades to come.

Trace Adkins – Ladies Love Country Boys

This is another great song for country lovers out there. It’s the classic tale of a city girl who falls for a country boy. The lyrics and beat make it fun.

Keith – I Like Girls That Drink Beer

This is probably one of the best funny bridal entrance songs you can add to your wedding playlist. It’s a lot of fun and even much better if you and your spouse both love beer.

Lmfao – Party Rock Anthem

This is a great song for your reception entrance or even for your bridesmaids. The lyrics tell it all, encouraging your guests to get the party started. Be prepared for loud cheers and let the party start.

Georges Bizet – Overture Carmen

If you like classical music but don’t want to use any traditional bridal entrance songs, then this is the right song for you. It’s a lively, anthem-like tune that’s also great if you’re a Formula 1 fan.

KISS – I Was Made for Loving You

This is for all the rock fans. Backed by congas, bass and acoustic guitar, it’s without a doubt a nice love song with a captivating rhythm. It’s the perfect fun song for a rocker wedding.

Bottom Line

Other funny bridal entrance songs to consider include The Champions League Anthem by Tony Britten, The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson and Highway to Hell by AC/DC. Ultimately, it all boils down to personal preference when it comes to any of the songs that you need for your wedding such as background music and more. Try to go for songs that you love but also ones that your guests will appreciate, and know which songs not to play on this big day. 

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Fast Love Songs for Weddings

Are you looking for the right fast love songs for weddings? If yes, you have many choices. All you have to do is to check the internet and you will come across scores of such songs. Each of the songs are unique in their own way, and therefore it would be a good idea to have a look at a few of them. 

Fast Love Songs for WeddingsFast Love Songs for Weddings

No wedding is complete without love songs, and if it is a fast love song then there are reasons to feel even more thrilled about it. Here are some tips for love songs you need at your wedding that could go well with the guests and also keeping the hosts in the best of spirits and moods. 

I Gotta A Feeling 

This is a wonderful and fast number from The Black Eyed Peas. It is raunchy and it has a good beat and rhythm that could be a big hit for those who are on the lookout for fast numbers for their weddings. It is hugely popular and if you look at YouTube you will be amazed to know that it has more than 400 million views. Therefore, this is often one of the most popular numbers played as love songs during weddings. 

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond 

Neil Diamond needs no introduction and this particular number is certainly fast and it makes even non-dancers to move and shake their hands and legs. The rhythm is very catchy and the lyrics are also quite interesting. If you are looking for something special and fast for your wedding, then talk with your wedding DJ to include this number from Neil Diamond. 

Prince – 1999

Prince is a famous and talented singer and the early 1980s saw him come out with some fascinating numbers. 1999 is the fifth studio album and ever since it was released on October 27, 1982 it has been a big hit and has more than 10 million views on YouTube, making it very popular. It is a must for many weddings because of its speed, and therefore you could keep this on your song list if you want your guests to enjoy the dancefloor. 

Taio Cruz – Dynamite

With around 89 million plays, there is no denying the fact that Dynamite continues to be one of the most sought after fast love songs for any weddings. It will certainly be a big hit amongst the younger generations and many people belonging to the middle age will also like it very much. Tiao Cruz has literally set the stage on fire and feet tapping with this fast and rhythmic number. 

Wild Thing – Tone LoC

If you wish to really have a delightful, fast and pulsating love song for weddings, there is no reason why you should not go in for Wild Thing from Tone LoC. It was recorded in 1988 and was released in January 1989. It has recorded more than 21 million views on YouTube and it is a must hear for those who love rap. 

Conclusion

The above are just a few examples of fast love songs for weddings to include in your reception playlist. All you have to do is to spend some time on the internet and you will certainly be able to come across dozens of such songs. You can choose any of them according to your taste and preferences. 

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How to Organize a Wedding Reception Playlist 

The reception of a wedding is usually everyone’s favorite part of the big day. This is the time where people get to dance and party with their friends and family all night long. That’s why it’s important to know how to organize a wedding reception playlist to set the party up for success. 

How to Organize a Wedding Reception Playlist 

Don’t know how to organize a wedding reception playlist? YoHow to Organize a Wedding Reception Playlistu can use applications such as iTunes, Spotify or more to go through different playlists, ask your significant other about songs they want featured and many more. 

#1: Use Music Apps 

Almost every song is available online these days. With the help of music streaming apps, you can create your own wedding reception playlist with a couple taps on your phone. You can create a sub-list under the playlist as well. Sub-lists can be – processional, first dance and recessional for example. You can add your favorite songs or the songs you want in these sub-lists. You can also use the paid apps that come with ready-made wedding songs by professional DJs.

#2: Ask Your Fiancé About Their Favorite Songs

As much as this wedding means a lot to you, it means something to your fiancé too. He/she might also have some songs in their mind that you can add to your playlist. So, while creating the list, do not forget to ask your fiancé about the songs that they want to be included. Also, discuss the entire list once it is done so that you two can decide together if it is perfect or not.

#3: Ask for the Requests

One of the best ideas to have a great time and fun at your wedding reception is to ask the guests and your groomsmen and bridesmaids for different requests. Surely, there might be many music enthusiasts who will love to play a certain song for that particular mood, part of the wedding such as the ceremony or reception or day. Taking requests from everyone will keep everyone involved too.

#4: Avoid Negative Songs

Some of the songs have a negative vibe or un-romantic in nature. It is better to avoid such songs, especially if it is about sadness, betrayal, breakup and losses. These songs are not the right fit for the wedding day. So, make sure that these types of songs are excluded from the lists.

#5: Listen to the Entire Playlist

Once the playlist is ready, it is your duty to play the entire playlist once to ensure that it is perfect. If any song sounds boring or unappealing, then you can remove it. Also, listening to the playlist once before it plays on your special occasion, you will be sure that everything is alright.

Conclusion

So, this is all about how to organize a wedding reception playlist. It is quite easy to do so, but you need to have patience and devote a lot of time to it. Do not neglect what your fiancé has to say about the songs to be played at the wedding as well. You need to make sure that the playlist is perfect for you both.

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How to Market on FB

Marketing on Facebook takes time and dedication. Facebook has grown to become a vital part of any social media marketing strategy. It has a significant user base and can reach a majority of your target audiences. Business accounts especially make use of unique tools that can help businesses grow their brand and make sales, expand their reach and provide quick customer service. Here are a few tips on how to market on Fb.

How to Market on FB

Use Facebook’s Business ToolsHow to Market on FB

While your personal page is a great place to promote your business and show your lifestyle and personality; your business page needs to be solely about your trade and your business. Marketing your business on Facebook works best when you use both pages to maximize the strengths of each page.

Paid Advertising

Pay Per Click (PPC) marketing is rather complicated, but Facebook’s tools make it simpler while still providing great tools. Facebook’s audience targeting features, for example, can help to pinpoint your best leads by more than just demographics and geography. You can customize your campaign based on behaviors and interests that run parallel to your campaign.

Shop Function

Marketing your products and or services online requires you to allow customers to make easy purchases. For instance, Facebook allows you to set up an online store that makes it easier to further engage with prospects. You can also set up the same shop on Instagram, allowing you to get your products on both platforms with ease.

Scheduling Tools

Facebook has a built-in scheduling tool that makes your day to day work easier. The most successful pages, for example, tend to use a mix of spur of the moment posts and pre-scheduled posts. Use the scheduler for some of your regular posts such as photos of products, your upcoming schedule and planned releases, etc.

ReviewsHow to Market on FB

Customers want to know what your previous and existing clients have to say about your product. Facebook’s company review feature can help you to get the social proof you need to convert visitors into buyers without having to add any additional software to your website. Google algorithms also make use of Facebook reviews, which can improve your ranking.

Insights/Analytics

Facebook provides all the data you need to measure the impact of your campaign. For instance, you can track how many page views you’ve received, track your number of likes and followers and the engagement on each post. You can also find the data for any campaigns you’re running and with time, you’ll be able to decipher what all the data means for your marketing strategy.

Build a Video Marketing Strategy

Video is fast becoming the preferred means of media consumption. As content shifts more towards video, Facebook has focused on making their platform more mobile-friendly. If you haven’t yet thought of a video strategy, now is the time. For a jewelry business, you can share a video on how to size down a ring, or how to care for sterling silver.

Bottom Line

Facebook makes it very easy to market your business. You don’t have to be a marketing expert to know how to market on FB.  Be social, be yourself and leverage the tools provided to generate the type of content your followers want to see.

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Types of Wedding Venues

If you’re planning a wedding and have yet to choose a venue, a simple internet search will reveal an overwhelming amount of choices of venues in your area. Before you walk down the aisle, it’s important to consider a few tips about the different types of wedding venues before settling for one. The different types of wedding venues range from a hotel and house of worship to botanical gardens, state park, private residence, beach and winery or vineyard.

Types of Wedding Venues

The most popular types of wedding venues include:

House of Worship

If you’re opting for a religious wedding, hosting the ceremony in a house of worship is a great way to celebrate your union. These sacred places work well for traditional weddings. They’re typically available for ceremonies only, but many offer event space where you can host your reception as well.

HotelTypes of Wedding Venues

Hotels make great wedding venues, especially if you’re hosting out-of-town guests. It’s a convenient way to stay on-site so no one has to worry about transportation costs. The hotel also makes a great venue for taking photos of the bride. 

Make a Guest List

Start by making a guest list. Assign them a ranking based on how important it is for them to attend your wedding. For example, one group can have family and close friends while another group can have old school buddies and co-workers. Add the lists and see how many people you would like to attend the wedding. Determining the approximate number of people will help you to search for a venue that can accommodate your guests.

Not All Budgets Are Apples to Apples

Rental prices will vary from one venue to another. For instance, some venues will include a coordinator. Others will include chairs, tables, and linens so you won’t have to spend extra to hire them. Some locations will allow you to serve your own drinks and refreshments while others will provide all the drinks and refreshments so you won’t have to deal with it. Don’t discount a venue because of the price tag. Many venues have a list of preferred vendors that can give you amazing discounts.

Consider a Rain Plan

Your venue of choice may look great on a sunny day but it always helps to brace yourself for inclement weather. The trick is to have a backup plan. For instance, if you go with a tent during hurricane season, you might have to arrange for an indoor location in the event of a tropical storm. Even though tropical storms are rare, there’s no harm in preparing for the worst just in case.

Handicap/ Ada Access

Some historic buildings are gorgeous but some of them can have special building permits that don’t require them to have access for handicap guests. This may require you to make special arrangements, especially if your guests need to have ramps to access the building.

Bottom Line

If you are recently engaged and looking for a wedding venue other popular types of wedding venues include a country club, mansion, restaurant, loft/modern space, and a park/ garden. Each location has its own pros and cons. The most critical thing, however, is to consider what’s most important for your day.

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Indie Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

Your wedding day is a unique day to celebrate the union between you and your loved one. And it goes without saying that most weddings have friends, family, colleagues and all other people who are important to the couple at their weddings. But one of the most important things to consider is the music. You need to know in advance what music you’ll walk down the aisle. While some people still prefer traditional songs such as Wagner’s “bridal chorus”, trends have changed. Here are a few adorable indie songs to walk down the aisle to:

Indie Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

It important to choose the right songs for your wedding. From asking the DJ the right questions, to selecting your genre, wedding music can make or break your wedding. 

Love-Lana Del Rey

This song is about being young and in love.  It’s pretty much what you’d expect from Lana Del Rey and it’s an effortless show of her gift for transmuting nostalgia into presence. In so many ways, this song evokes several emotions of desire and meditation.

You’ve Got the Love – Florence + The Machine

As exhilarating and as bracing as it can be, this song can work pretty well as a processional song. The song is a remix of the song titled You Got the Love by Candi Staton but Florence manages to do it so well.

I Wanna Be Yours – Arctic Monkeys

This song has been very useful in the world of romance. The song is slow and the lyrics are sad but it’s also full of desire. This was the first song the Arctic Monkeys recorded with a drum machine and it’s a perfect tune for walking down the aisle.

Sea of Love – Cat PowerIndie Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

Cat Power makes music that many people want to listen to. It’s sweet to the ears and she knows so well how to convey emotion in her voice. The song is powerful yet vulnerable at the same time, something you want to listen to when walking down the aisle.

All About Your Heart – Mindy Gledhill

There’s something about this song that makes you want to listen to it over and over again. This song will have you hooked. It’s beautiful and inspiring. Simply put: it’s the perfect processional song. Knowing the story makes it even more powerful.

Lifetimes – Oh Wonder

Lifetimes is a euphoric song with soothing harmonies and pounding drums. It features delicate high tones with a distinctive chorus. The repetitive line ‘doing it right’ just sums up the whole song, which makes it an ideal song for probably the most special day in your life.

Bottom Line

Those are just some of the indie songs to walk down the aisle to.  Others to consider include The Girl by City & Color, Somebody Loved by The Weepies and Yours Forever by Generationals, among others. Today, the idea of a traditional bride and groom wedding is far gone. Gone are the days when you would attend a wedding and hear the same songs that have for decades been at the top of the list for wedding songs. Times are changing and it’s not surprising for people to express their personalities in their choice of songs.

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How to Photograph Jewelry on White Background

A white background is important when it comes with photographing jewelry. The white background is the most versatile and timeless background that can help to accentuate the look and appearance of the jewelry. Having white in the background helps as this color doesn’t interfere with the colors of your jewelry. Also, it provides zero distraction. Thus, it is essential to use a white background to give the jewelry a consistent and clean look on any website. If you are wondering about how to photograph jewelry on white background, here are some tips for you:

How to Photograph Jewelry on White Background

When photographing jewelry, specifically silver, choosing the right white background for photographing can be quite challenging. It can be quite tough to find a bright white background in the desired texture, but it is always better to buy the purest white available. This will also save your time in the future as you do not have to put extra effort or editing the photos in the long run. 

Choosing the Right Size How to Photograph Jewelry on White Background

You need to choose the right size for the background. It is very important to consider the scale of the jewelry and at which the photo will be taken. If you are photographing at a very close range, then there is no need to buy a large background. However, you need to consider the angle of photography too in order to know the right size of the background essential for the jewelry photography.

Use the Right Lens

When you are photographing jewelry on the white wallpaper, you have to consider the right lens for it. The best lens for jewelry photography is a high quality macro lens or a zoom lens that can be attached to your DSLR for a beautiful and focused photo. Generally, a 16-35 mm zoom lens can be quite helpful for you. 

Use the Tripod

In order to ensure that the photo is not getting blurred, you have to keep your camera steady. A steady picture can help you to capture every minute detail on your jewelry. Using a tripod can help you get betting images of jewelry, such as various ring sizes. Thus, having a tripod is very important when you are photographing the jewelry on a white background.

Spacing is ImportantHow to Photograph Jewelry on White Background

You need to carefully set up the equipment and jewelry before you start shooting. You need to leave the right amount of gap from the background to the jewelry and from jewelry to the camera. For better convenience, you can use the tape on the floor to mark the areas. This will help you to set up the background, object and camera easily on the next shot.

In Conclusion

Once you are done soldering silver into jewelry, you’re going to want to take photos to show off your latest pieces. So, this is how to photograph jewelry on white background. You will find it quite easier to photograph jewelry on the white background and edit it later. It creates least distraction and the white background also helps to make the jewelry more prominent. You can write down all the camera setup and light settings in a paper which can help you in future too.