Everyone wants beautiful wedding photos, but not everyone knows what they can do to help ensure their wedding photos are as beautiful as they could be. I am constantly noticing little things to help make people more aware of themselves and the moment and would love to share with you some helpful tips and tricks to help make your wedding photos the best they can be! Please take from this list below anything that works or makes sense for you!
Try and Keep Rooms Clear of Clutter, Package Wrappings and Unworn Clothing
Lets face it, when it comes to getting ready for the big moment, rooms can easily become chaos. Everyone is unwrapping packages for special items of the day, clothes are being changed, delivery food is being ordered, cardboard boxes are abound from shoe boxes to bouquet and boutonnière holders. Keeping a prep room clear of clutter will only enhance the moment that is being captured, because there will be less items in the image to detract the eye from the action occurring. Now some items are of course perfectly fine to have in the images, such as the flowers or the dress on a hanger, but do you really want the pile of jeans in the corner while you are being laced up in your dress? These are some things to think about and consider on the day of your wedding and having a friend, mom or bridesmaid assigned to keeping the room clean and clear of unnecessary items will definitely only add to the quality of your images!
Remember to Smile, When Walking Down the Aisle!
This is something not only for the bride, but everyone who will be coming down the aisle. Not everyone is used to being in the spotlight and many times, people become nervous when they come down the aisle and end up looking a bit like a deer in headlights or walk down the aisle looking at their feet the entire time. I just photographed a groom who didn't show any emotion and the image actually made him appear to be kinda sad... Again, probably not the look you are going for, I'm guessing. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do to alter the image after the fact so just a friendly reminder to everyone, before heading down the aisle, take a deep breath, eyes up and big smiles! Trust me, you will thank me later!! :)
Timing, Schedule and Things to Consider!
Plan your ceremony when the lighting will be at its best… this is not going to happen at noon. A bright sunny day will create shadows and cause people to squint. It is much nicer to have the photos take place during the last 2-3 hours of lighting in the day.. the sun is already going down some and by the end of the ceremony, you can do your portrait photos with each other during the golden hour!
Consider doing a Pre-Exit from the reception…. If you wait until the end of the night to do your official reception exit photos, it’s likely many of your guests will have already departed, leaving your exit photos with a quarter of the people that could have participated with you. If you are hoping to get some awesome reception exit photos, you may want to consider doing a pre-exit while many of your guests are still around. This can take place right before the dance hour starts or right after the cake cutting or bouquet toss…. it can be a great option for starting off the evening when no other events will take place and act as an official end of the “events” on schedule.
If you are not very traditional, it can be very convenient to take care of portraits with each other and your family right before the ceremony. Once the ceremony ends, people are very excited and anxious to speak with the bride and groom and doing portraits right after the ceremony can get in the way of you interacting with your guests. If you are not traditional, taking your photos with your family and each other right before the ceremony works out very well in not interrupting the flow of the energy of people coming up to you and celebrating in your new union!
The Best Moments are Never Posed
I really love having at least 20-30 mins with each of my couples on the day of their event to walk around and get some beautiful formal portraits of you two looking amazing. When it comes to my formal portraits, I am not a big fan of 'copying poses'. To me, it's almost like covering a song... we are here to write your own music, not play to someone else's tune. That being said, there are some truths to choosing the chords we play and certain positions will always sound more pleasing to the eye. If you aren't sure what to do, the answer is just be yourselves and leave the rest up to me... I will always be there to guide and tweak the positions you guys put yourself into when needed, but I want to highlight your true love story. How you both really hold each other and how you really interact. You are your own magic, let’s watch it shine! I have tons of experience positioning and framing couples. Just believe, you don't need to be on point or perfect, because you already are and together we will capture some really amazing memories! Trust in me and my silly requests to ensure we get the best images and reactions and I promise you will love the results.
Tell Your Guests, Wedding Party and Family Members to Put Down Their Cell Phones
So, this is probably unlikely, but hear me out before discounting this suggestion! Your wedding day is being covered already by a professional photographer, and possibly videographer. Everyone today has a cell phone with video and camera, but the quality of the image they will be capturing is unlikely to be the quality of the professional you hired. There are times when all the photos at an event include pretty much most of the people being on their cell phones or photographing people on their cell phones. I photographed a wedding party at a reception where everyone was each person was staring down on their cell phones. If these are going to be your wedding photos, do you want your bridesmaids and groomsmen all laughing and interacting with each other in the images you receive or do you want everyone in a zombie state staring at their cell phone? We are not waiting in line at the DMV, this is your wedding! People should be interacting with each other at your event. Don't worry about missing moments, thats why you hire professionals! Let’s make sure you allow every opportunity to have some really wonderful memories and have everyone in your event disconnect from the world for a day and focus all their attention on you, your event, their friends and family members. You will really appreciate the day so much more when everyone is involved and connected to your moment instead of to their cell phone.
How to Get the Best Wedding Photos!
Tips from Blue Buttercup Wedding Photography