Our team at Complete Weddings + Events LOVES photographing every moment of our couple’s BEST DAY EVER. But one of our favorite parts is capturing stunning portraits of our brides. After years of photographing weddings, our skilled team of photographers has learned that there are some simple tips that can ensure the bride is picture-perfect! We can assure we will get an array of gorgeous pictures of her throughout the day.
Below are a few tips to achieving the perfect bridal portraits
Have a range of facial expressions.
It’s one of the happiest days of your life! Therefore you should definitely smile! But having a serious or serene expression can result in incredibly timeless photos for your wedding day.
Get Your Beauty Rest
One of the best ways a bride can prepare for her wedding photos is to be well-rested. No one looks or feels their best if they are tired. Make sure you have all the wedding details taken care of well in advance of the wedding day so that you are not stressed out with last-minute craziness.
Maybe Book a Separate Session Altogether
More brides are scheduling photo sessions apart from the wedding day to ensure lovely portraits. A separate bridal session gives the gift of time. Many brides shooed to do it on the same day as their hair and makeup trial. Scheduling a post-wedding session is also a great option for couples who are unable to get the picturesque photos they envisioned for their big day due to inclement weather.
Comfort is Key
Make sure you wear a dress you feel comfortable sitting in. Because your photographer will be with you capturing shots all night. You want to look natural in all of your photographs, including the candid ones!
Practice wearing your dress and shoes! I know this sounds crazy. I’m sure you’re thinking, I had so many fittings, isn’t that practice enough? The answer is no, while most brides do have multiple dress fittings, but they don’t actually try to move in their dress and shoes. Bridal gowns can be heavy, and it’s so helpful to test out walking with the shoes that you will be wearing, as this will ensure that the dress fits perfectly – and that you will be comfortable wearing it for your entire wedding day. Also, if you have shoes with a little “bling” on them, you can make sure that they don’t get caught on any tulle or lining on the underside of your dress and also make any adjustments you need before the wedding day!
Browse Photo Inspiration
You can find so much inspiration on Instagram these days. It’s always a good idea to have an idea of the style of photos you want. Just keep in mind that while it’s great to get ideas, your photos will ultimately turn out differently due to several factors including location, wardrobe, lighting, and more. Work together with your photographer to come up with a customized approach rather than asking them to replicate poses exactly.
Include a Sentimental Object
Consider including a family heirloom in your shoot.
Allow Your Personality to Shine
Bridal portraits should play off the bride’s personality. Showcase something that represents who you are. Something that’s your favorite colors, something that represents a favorite hobby, etc..
Posing Pointers: Watch Those Hands
When we are getting our pictures taken, the first thing we usually struggle with is what do we do with our hands. You can keep your hands occupied by holding your bouquet or dress.
Be Spontaneous
Portraits don’t have to be planned or static. Oftentimes the best portraits are the shot taken right after or before you expect it, or when you’re not even paying attention to your photographer.
When considering how you want to wear your hair, take into account the location and time of year of your wedding
Loose blowouts are gorgeous, of course, but sometimes, this style does not bode well with heavily wind-blown locations – like beaches. Ensure your hair is secure and photo-ready by considering your venue and wedding season so your style team can be prepared.
Don’t count out the veil!
We are a bit obsessed with “veil” photos. There is something truly magical about the way beautiful light hits a bridal veil. If you are wearing a veil on your wedding day, be sure to ask your photographer for the best time of day to take a few veil photos, as it can vary depending on the time of year and the time of your ceremony. Even if you are doing a “first look” and taking all of your portraits before the ceremony, sometimes just five minutes after the ceremony will be enough time to capture those truly incredible bridal portraits.
The most important thing, of course, is just to relax and enjoy this incredible day
If you’re truly having a wonderful time, that is what will come through in your photos! So relax! Remember to take the time to be fully present, and live in the moment! It will be over before you know it. Too often, brides get so caught up in the details that they forget to relax and be fully present on their wedding day. You’ve planned, hired the vendors, and assigned the tasks; now it’s time to relax and truly enjoy the moment. That said, most brides are self-conscious, and that’s okay. A good photographer will help you feel at ease and capture you in your most natural state.
Complete Weddings + Events in Sarasota, FL
Our team at Complete Weddings + Events Sarasota is always happy to help! We hope the blog on Tips for the Perfect Bridal Portrait gave you some insight. As always don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our event specialists today if you have any questions at all. Complete Weddings + Events, Sarasota’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, DJ services & photo booth rental.
