ALL POSTS

Welcome

TO THE BLOG

Jun 18, 2015

5 Tips for Achieving Beautiful “Getting Ready” Wedding Photos | Wedding Tips for Brides and Grooms

As a Wedding Photographer, I not only want to deliver beautiful images to our couples, I also want to be there as a helpful resource leading up to their Wedding Day. After all, for most brides and grooms — wedding planning is a whole new world. So, if I can share some tips and expertise on how to better prep them for the day, then I’m glad to do so, especially when it comes to conveying tips and information that will help achieve better wedding photos ๐Ÿ™‚

The hours leading up to your wedding can be extremely stressful, but at the same time, those precious moments of preparation before you say “I Do,” are also uniquely exciting and beautiful.

As a wedding photographer, I can honestly say, these hours of preparation leading up to the ceremony often yield some of my most favorite images of the day. Besides the fact that I think I get to work with some of the sweetest and most beautiful brides and grooms (yep, shameless plug!), I know that prepping my clients for the “Getting Ready” shots I plan to take, helps immensely in giving me the opportunity to take photos I know they will love and appreciate when they look back at their Wedding Day.

Here are a few simple tips on ways you can help your wedding photographer take beautiful “Getting Ready” photos on your Big Day:

1) Get ready in a space that has plentiful window light: Whether you choose to get ready in a hotel room or in the bridal suite at your venue, choose a space that has a good amount of window light — trust me, your photographer will thank you! Light is the most important factor for capturing beautiful photos — whether it come in the form of natural light (sunlight) or artificial light (flash or video light). I happen to prefer natural light when it comes to Getting Ready portraits because it gives my images a clean, bright softness that my clients have come to love. A room with natural light coming from a large window source will also be what your makeup artist prefers to use as well. So keep this in mind when you’re deciding where to prep and get dressed on your Wedding Day. And yes, a well-lit room is much preferred for the Groom as well!

beautiful bridal preparation photos

 

2) Clean and tidy up the area where you plan to get ready before your photographer arrives: I know on the Wedding Day the rush of getting hair and makeup done as well as making sure everyone has their dresses and the right accessories can often result in a bit of a tornado effect in the preparation room. And that’s totally OK and understandable. But asking some of your bridesmaids to help tidy up the space before your photographer arrives will help your photographer move around freely in the area and also capture clean portraits without any clutter in the background.

Loews Coronado Wedding Photo

Waikiki Wedding Detail Photos

 

3) Set aside the details you’d like your photographer to photograph: If you’re one of those brides who’s spent months carefully crafting your wedding day look, you’ll definitely want your photographer to capture your beautiful details. Give your photographer a helping hand by putting aside these details so when he/she arrives, the items are easy to access and can quickly be photographed. That means doing the following:

  • Hang your wedding dress on a nice hanger (wire hangers do not photograph well, custom hangers are perfect as well as a clean wooden or velvet hanger)
  • Put aside your wedding ceremony and reception shoes
  • Gather your jewelry and garter
  • Have all the rings in a box — engagement ring and both wedding rings
  • Save and bring a clean invitation and envelope as well as any save the dates
  • Have your bridal bouquet along with at least 1 bridesmaid bouquet read
  • For the Groom: set aside your suit/tuxedo and shirt (make sure everything is ironed and pressed) and any accessories — handkerchief, cufflinks, socks, shoes, tie/bowtie, etc.

Paso Robles Wedding PhotosWeddings Shoes and Bouquet Detailsbeautiful bridal preparation photosWaikiki Wedding Detail PhotosBeautiful green engagement ringCool Groom PhotosWaikiki Wedding Detail Photos

4) Have the people who are helping you put your wedding gown on (bridesmaids, mom, aunts, grandmothers, siblings) be ready and completely dressed: When it’s time for you to put your wedding gown on, anyone helping you get dressed should be completely ready and dressed from head to toe. You will be picture-perfect once your wedding dress is on, and those surrounding you, should look their best too. Anyone helping you get ready on the Wedding Day should be prepared to be part of your “Getting Ready” photos and if you plan on having a wedding album, you will want them to look picture perfect too!

Paso Robles Wedding Photos

5) Give your photographer a good amount of time for “Getting Ready” photos: This is the most important tip — because without time, you’re not giving your photographer a chance to create the images you want. I realize that timelines can’t always be stretched or changed due to venue restrictions or timeframes, but when you do have control of setting your timeline, allow your photographer ample time to work without stress or time crunches. Ideally, I like to begin shooting at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony to capture “Getting Ready” portraits. This gives me ample time to photograph details (at least 45 minutes), about 15-20 minutes for the bride to get dressed and receive any touch-ups, 15-20 minutes for bride portraits and another 15-20 minutes for the bride to take photos with her bridesmaids. If you plan to send a special gift to your soon-to-be-spouse, give your photographer a head’s up and carve out some time for he/she to capture that too. If the couple plans to do a “First Look,” then I like to begin shooting 2.5 to 3 hours before the ceremony begins to allow for the big reveal as well as romantic portraits. If you give your photographer time, he/she has a much better chance to deliver the images that will not only tell the story of your day, but also images inspired with creativity that you will love for years to come.

Long Beach Hyatt Wedding Photos

 

COMMENTS:

1

Leave a Comment 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ALL POSTS

Welcome

TO THE BLOG