Bluebird Chic ambassador Dia of Michael & Dia Photography shares her best tips for capturing those moments leading up to the wedding ceremony and reception.
While most of the photos taken on your client’s wedding day will be snapped during the ceremony and reception, those few hours before the guests take their seats and the bride makes her way down the aisle is filled with plenty of details and emotions that are sure to make for some great shots.
Here are a few tips for capturing beautiful pre-wedding moments that your clients will want to look back on.
TIP # 1 – Have a chat before the big day about getting ready pictures
When I meet my couples I like to walk them through their special day and give them an idea of how I will capture it. This all starts with the getting ready shots.
I ask my brides to gather all important details into one area (keeping smaller items in a box) and to let a bridesmaid or family member know that I will be photographing them when I first arrive. This way, I don’t have to interrupt the bride while she is getting ready, and it gives everyone a chance to get used to me being in the room.
By not immediately putting a camera in everyone’s face, I have a chance to talk with them and make them feel more comfortable with me. Believe me, having everything in one place and ready to photograph will save you tons of time!
TIP # 2 – Find the light…Natural Light!
One of the first things I do when I walk into a bridal suite or hotel room is look for the largest window. Then I take a quick scan to see if the room looks like a bomb has gone off…but we will get back to that.
While the bride and her bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done, I will usually take all of her special items (Wedding gown, shoes, invitations, jewelry, etc.) and move near the natural light to take detail shots. All the while I keep an eye on the bride to see where she is at in the makeup process.
When she is just about done, I will ask for the makeup artist to move closer to a window so that I can capture the final touches. Once the wedding dress is mostly on, I always ask my bride to move closer to the natural light as well. This is always the most flattering light.
Tip #3 – Clear the space
Back to the “bomb going off…”
Another topic I like to discuss with my brides prior to their wedding day is to try and keep their room as clean as possible. When you get a bunch of people in one room, messes escalate quickly. It’s not something they tend to think about, and they don’t even realize how much of it will show up in their pictures. Just ask them to keep it in mind while they are getting ready. I have had to embrace many messy rooms though!
I will move things out of the way here and there, but I won’t stop the flow of the day to rearrange and clean everything. When I run into this situation, I try to capture a tighter, more intimate view of the getting ready process.
TIP #4 – An overlooked detail
One of the most common problems I find with detail shots is the hanger for the wedding dress. While many brides will have their hangers custom made on Etsy, so many more will forget all about this important detail.
After having to photograph a few beautiful wedding gowns on plastic hangers, I started bringing my own. I even bought an inexpensive pack of wood hangers for the bridesmaids’ dresses.
TIP #5 – Don’t Forget the Guys!
So many times the day becomes about the bride, but what about the guys? While these shots won’t be as detailed as the bridal shots, there is still a story to tell.
Be sure to capture a few quick details, like the shoes, bowtie, and cufflinks. After that, stand back and snap away as they have a drink, play around, and display their male bonding rituals. It’s a lot of fun to photograph the groom and his guys because they tend to be a bit more relaxed and ready to have fun!
And since they are usually dressed pretty quickly, I try to get the groomsmen pictures done at this time.
My name is Dia, and I am a mother, wife, and photographer. My husband and I have had the honor of professionally photographing weddings since 2006. I love organizing and planning: A goal without a plan is just a dream! I am a FOODIE! (A vegan one!) I LOVE running, beer and wine…they go together, right? Texting…it’s the best and easiest way to get a hold of me. And lastly, I admire Audrey Hepburn, for her classic beauty and everlasting elegance. Visit me at http://www.diamerazphotography.com/
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