Tips for great bridal preparation photos

- How to get great bridal preparation photos -

The thought of having a wedding photographer snapping away during your bridal prep may not automatically appeal, but photos taken at this time could be some of the best and most emotional of the day. Bridal prep is often full of family intimacy, quiet emotion, deeply personal interactions, minor dramas (broken zips, rips!) and great big belly laughs too! Given this, it’s pretty much a dead cert that great pictures will fall out of a photographer’s camera.

Some brides may feel a little awkward having the photographic spotlight on them so early in the day, particularly at what can be an emotionally vulnerable time. However, a sensitive photographer who shoots with gentle empathy will be able to not only make you feel great and reassured, but give you a rare record of those around you – this is priceless.

SO what are my tips for great bridal preparation photos? Well, based on my experience here are a few thoughts…

1.Choose the right wedding photographer! Sounds obvious right?! But it’s crucial to have a photographer that you get on with and are comfortable having around you. Bridal prep is an intimate time and you may feel emotionally vulnerable – and these are great things to photograph! - so you’ll want to be sure you ‘click’ with your photographer and all the other professionals working around you. (click here if you’d like to know a little bit more about me)

2. Think about the light. Photography is all about light and a photographer will use what’s available to create mood and beautiful pictures. As a general rule, position yourself to make the most of the available natural light. Setting up near to a big window will ensure that lots of natural light falls onto you while you are having hair and make-up. This doesn’t just help your photographer: your make up artist will thank you too. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule: very bright and hot sunlight could be uncomfortable so thinking on the fly and being flexible is sometimes necessary.

Artificial light is can be used creatively (corner lamps, make-up artists’ face lamp etc) but wherever practical turn off ceiling lights as the light they cast is often poor and unflattering; natural light is always best for soft transitions of light and shade.

3. Give yourself space. You’re going to have a lot of people around during preparation – hairdresser, make-up artist, photographer, wedding planner, family, friends. Sometimes more isn’t merrier, so have a think about who you’d really like to be there and ensure that there’s space for them and that they will provide the service or support you need. Remember that key professionals like the photographer will need physical space to work around you.

4. Keeping the scene tidy (or not!). The bridal suite can often get a bit ‘messy’ as bags, boxes, food, drink and clothes all get tossed about throughout the morning. As a natural, candid photographer this doesn’t bother me and I think it adds to the story, but if you prefer a tidy, clean scene in your photos then you’ll need to think about a little ‘house keeping’ through the morning.

5. Keep it personal. If you are getting ready at home, don’t be tempted to tidy away the details of your life like pictures, your hobbies etc. These are great to photograph and really add to the story particularly in later years. It’s these little details that will really communicate to future relatives about your life back in the ol’days!

6. Lastly, and perhaps not exactly photography related: the day is (almost) all about you. Keep yourself hydrated and fed and where you can, delegate: Let others take the strain and sort stuff out! A wedding day goes so quickly so make sure you’re in the best place to enjoy every moment.

I hope that you found these tips for great bridal preparation photos useful? Drop me a line if you’d like to discuss your wedding plans.