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A wedding photographer’s top tips for better wedding photos—no matter who your photographer is
The Transcript
On one of the most important days of your life, you deserve the best possible photos to remember your wedding day. So today, I’d like to share my secrets for getting better wedding photos. Throughout my time as a wedding photographer, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that can help elevate your photos. No matter who your wedding photographer is, these tips will ensure you have a beautiful wedding gallery.
01. Be mindful of your bouquet
My first tip has to do with how you hold your bouquet. It’s arguably the most photographed and visible piece of floral design at your wedding because it will be in your hands for a large portion of the day. So how you hold your bouquet will have a big influence on the photos.
First things first, ask your florist what the intended front of the bouquet is. Most florists will immediately be able to tell you which side of the bouquet is intended to be the front. Then you can keep that side facing front all day.
Next, make sure you hold your bouquet at your belly button—especially when you’re walking down the aisle. There’s a tendency to hold it up near our chest because we’re nervous and it’s something to hide behind. But just relax. Relax your shoulders, relax your arms, and hold it right at your belly button. This way, your bouquet won’t be covering your dress or hair or be a distraction from your face.
If you have a lot of beautiful ribbons cascading down, make sure those aren’t knotted up or tangled. Check that they’re flowing down nicely.
And lastly, when holding your bouquet, gently angle it towards the camera or towards the direction in which you’re facing. The stems and your hand shouldn’t be visible. People should just be able to see the beautiful blooms of your bouquet.
02. Watch the boutonnière
My next tip for getting better wedding photos is for the groom or those wearing boutonnières. When you pin on your boutonnière, make sure you pin it on the opposite side of your writing hand. For example, I’m right-handed, so the boutonnière would go on the left side. This way, when you’re hugging people all day, it won’t get as flat and tired-looking. Try your best to keep it looking nice until after the ceremony and through portrait time. Otherwise, it will look like a flat, wilted mess!
This can be hard to remember when you’re caught up in the day, but it’s a tip to keep in mind so your boutonnière looks beautiful the whole day.
03. Tidy up getting ready space
Wedding photography coverage usually begins at the getting ready location, and oftentimes the photographer arrives to a chaotic mess. Clothes, makeup, hair tools, and food clutter the floor, and this doesn’t look so nice in photos. There’s not exactly the type of photos you’d get printed or want in a wedding album.
To solve this problem, designate one of your wedding party members or ask a relative to come in and tidy up before the photographer arrives. Pick another room or even a corner to stash the clutter so the getting ready room looks clean. This is something I’m happy to do when I arrive, but it’s a tremendous help when it’s already clean. This one small step makes a massive impact in the photos, and you’ll be so much happier with the images from that part of the wedding day.
04. Have wedding party get ready before you do
Have the wedding party and close family members get dressed and ready before you and your partner do. That way, when we get those photos of you putting on your dress or tux, touching up your hair and makeup with mom or dad there, the images will look much more polished.
If the wedding party is still in t-shirts or sweats, the photos of you making those finishing touches will look more chaotic and frazzled. But if everyone is ready before you, the images will look all the more polished. Plus, you’ll have even more photos of how beautiful everyone looked that day.
05. Take time for touch-ups
Lastly, my final tip is to take time to do touch-ups before your final portraits. I always try to take my couples out for golden hour portraits when the lighting is so beautiful and golden. These are often the photos my couples love the most, as they’re more relaxed and the lighting is so lovely. (Learn more on light here).
So before those final portraits, it’s worth taking five minutes to sneak away and touch up your hair and makeup. You’ll be all the more happy with those golden hour portraits!
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! Those are my secrets for getting better photos at your wedding. If you keep these tips in mind on your wedding day, you’ll be even more in love with your final photo gallery—no matter who your photographer is. I hope you found these tips helpful, and don’t hesitate to reach out or comment with questions.
Interested in learning more on this topic? Check out my other video:
“Tips for Getting the Best Possible Wedding Photos.”
Featured: Floret. Florals, Opaline Paris, Modern Bride Paris, Metal Flaque, Chateau de Baronville
