Overcoming Common Live Painting Challenges
While I always strive to deliver seamless, beautiful results, the reality is – live painting comes with its share of unpredictable moments. My goal is to ensure you’d never notice the hiccups behind the scenes! Here’s a look at some real – life live painting challenges I’ve encountered, how I’ve handled them, and the steps I take now to avoid them.
Lighting Mishaps
One of the most critical moments for me is capturing reference photos during the ceremony. On occasion, my camera unexpectedly shifts focus – from the couple to the bright lighting behind them – resulting in a silhouette effect that obscures important details. This can be especially tricky when there’s no time to retake the shot.
Wardrobe Twists
In dip-kiss moments, dresses naturally move – but sometimes in ways that don’t flatter the bride’s look. I’ve seen beautiful gowns bunch or wrap around a leg in a way that doesn’t reflect how stunning they truly were in person.
Want to see how this couple’s painting turned out? Click here!
Less-than-Ideal Angles
Sometimes the moment is heartfelt but doesn’t translate well visually—like a dip that mostly shows the tops of the couple’s heads, leaving little detail to work from in their facial expressions or attire. It’s a common live painting challenges but I found a great how-to video on how to do a dip-kiss with confidence!
The Vendor Shuffle
At many weddings, there’s an entire media team: photographer, videographer, content creator—and me! We’re all trying to capture the same key moment from the center aisle, and I make it a priority never to interfere with another vendor’s work.
How I Navigate These Challenges
When I sense I didn’t get a strong reference photo, I ask the planner & couple if I can retake a quick pose with the couple later in the day. This allows me to work from a more ideal composition. That said, retakes come with their own hurdles – outfits may change between ceremony and reception, and the lighting may be dramatically different.
Over time, I’ve become skilled at combining references: using one image for pose, another for lighting, and even digitally adjusting attire based on earlier photos. It’s a process that takes experience and a creative eye, and I’m proud of how those paintings turn out – most importantly, so are the couples.
How You Can Help Make the Painting Shine
For the best possible result, I recommend carving out just a few minutes in your timeline for a quick, dedicated pose. This gives us the chance to:
- Select a flattering angle
- Straighten dresses or veils
- Ensure I’m not overlapping with other vendors
- Capture lighting and detail in a more controlled setting
Rest assured, I’ll still be snapping photos of the real moment as it unfolds – there’s magic in spontaneity! But having a quick, intentional pose gives me exactly what I need to make the painting as realistic and detailed as possible.
Thank you for trusting me with your moment—it’s an honor I never take lightly.
Venue above: Coles Garden in Oklahoma City