18 TIPS FOR GREAT BRIDAL PHOTOS BY FORT MILL, SC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Our team at Williams Photography of Fort Mill, SC has gathered a lot of tips over the years while photographing brides. We thought we’d share some of our favorites.
PLAN AHEAD
Yes, sounds pretty obvious, but we frequently have to deal with brides who put off their bridal portrait session until the last moment. We’ve even had brides ask us to photograph them on the day of their wedding. The point of planning ahead is that it allows us to reschedule if bad weather, illness, a sudden business trip or a family issue interferes.
Go online and find bridal photographs that you really love. Share those images with your photographer. Identify several images that you want to capture. Helps your photographer understand what you are looking for. Result? Better pictures.
FOUR SEASONS
A change of seasons is always a great time to schedule your bridal portraits, but you’ll need to stay flexible. For example, the difference of a week might allow you to have your photographs taken with peach blossoms in full bloom or just blossoms on the ground. Do some research to see when your favorite blossoms come out. Then try and coordinate with the photographer to work on “nature’s schedule.”
LOOK FOR A GREAT LOCATION
Yes, your backyard will work, but what about a hidden nook in a park or by a quiet lake? Is there a historic mansion available for rent for a couple hours? Your photographer probably knows many places.
ARRIVE RESTED
You want to look radiant … not exhausted. Get a good night’s sleep, and have everything ready the night before so you don’t have to go crazy looking for your lipstick. Many photographers focus on eyes, so bright, clear eyes are pretty important for stunning photographs.
USE A SKILLED MUA
This is a good time to splurge on a really good make-up artist (MUA). You’ll want to look super for 1-2 hours for these really important photographs. Your MUA should help you create a special look and keep you looking fresh throughout the session. A skilled MUA should know how to prepare you for the camera (important that you don’t use a lotion as a moisturizer! It will make your nose, cheeks, and forehead shine). Your MUA should apply powder to your neck, back, and arms… not just your face!
GETTING READY
Your wedding day can get super hectic and having photographs taken while you are getting ready for your bridal shoots guarantees “keeper” images. That’s one less thing you’ll need to worry about and can free up some time for other photographs.
INCLUDE MOM
Including your mom (and maybe grandmother) in your bridal portrait session is pretty important and it’s just smart. Your mom can be photographed tying up the back of the gown or putting on your jewelry. You’ll have these images “in the bank” if things get too hectic on your wedding day. Bonus: Makes her feel special.
STAY COMFORTABLE
Yes, you can “tough it out” but the camera will capture a slight blue tinge in your fingers and goose bumps on your arms if you get cold. Stop and put on your coat. Keep hand warmers in your pockets. Too hot? Go inside an air-conditioned car or building. Your face will “glisten” and your makeup will start to run if you get too hot.
WHILE YOU ARE GETTING READY
Have your gown, shoes, and rings photographed while you are getting ready. Instead of having the photographers waiting for you to get dressed, put them to work:
WEDDING GOWN
This gives the photographer time to display your gown, smooth out all the fabric, and properly illuminate the dress. Bonus: your gown will remain safely in sight on your wedding day!
WEDDING SHOES
You won’t need them until the last moment and that gives your photographer time to take some really great photographs.
WEDDING RINGS
Wedding days are crazy and you can’t risk losing your rings with people running all over the place. Let the photographer take his time photographing your rings as you are finishing up your hair and makeup; it’s just one less thing to worry about on your wedding day!
BOUQUETS
This is your bridal portraiture session, so you can bring along two or three different bouquets (red, pink or white roses, for example). You can also bring a bouquet that will match your actual wedding bouquet. Artificial flowers work really well, but fresh flowers can’t be beat.
VEIL
A veil can be a really fun prop. You can peek out from behind your veil. You can let the veil flow in the wind, and it can also help cover up problem areas by simply draping the veil where it can help hide things.
INDOOR VERSUS OUTDOORS
Both offer advantages. There is no wind indoors so your hair won’t fly all over the place. You won’t have to worry about rain. Outdoor shots can be great, but high heels can sink into the ground as you walk. Leaves can get caught in the fabric and the grown can get dusty. Careful planning (a small kit to clean spots and a white sheet to stand on) can keep problems to a minimum. Solution: take photographs indoors and outdoors for the best of both worlds.
POSING
Yes, everyone hates those stiff, formal, fake smile images. However, a good photographer can make you look thinner simply by rotating you slightly, raising your arms a little, and having you straighten your back. Simple, but effective.
LOTS OF “LOOKS.”
You’re going to be a little stiff for the first few shots. That’s normal. But you don’t want your wedding photographs showing you with that same smile over and over again. Now is the time to try several different genuine emotions. Happy. Sad. Excited. Thrilled. Go a little crazy. You will be surprised to find several images that you just love!
TAKE BREAKS
Too many brides (frequently encouraged by their photographer) keep going until they are worn out. You do get tired trying to smile for several hours. Your make-up starts to suffer. So, plan a break. Bring along something to drink. Just close your eyes. Rest.
BRIGHT SUN
It’s hard looking your best with the sun in your face. Close your eyes and open then at the count of three. Simple, but effective.
NOW WHAT?
How do you plan to use these fantastic photographs? You can’t display them before the wedding! We offer our brides several options. A “sign-in” book to be displayed in the reception venue after the wedding. Inclusion in a video production that can be shown during the dinner portion of the reception. Finally, after their honeymoon, the newlyweds will include some of their favorites in a free wedding album that we offer our wedding clients who choose to go with one of our collections.
We hope these tips will help you prepare for your wedding portraiture session and we wish you our very best for a wonderful wedding.
Williams Photographs of Fort Mill, South Carolina, LLC. specializes in engagement, bridal, and wedding photography as well as other photographic services.