Yes, you may have had the meetings and numerous phone calls but this is her wedding day, her special day! The bridal portrait shoot is where you get to really know her on the day she has been dreaming of all her life. You will be one of the first people to see her and its where you can truly bond with the bride. From my experience this is the time I really get to know her personality, what is thinking, her personal style from wedding dress to the makeup. This is the day both of you talked about and pre planned and now it has arrived, it up to you to live up to the promises with your photographic skills. How great is that?!
Table of Contents
Tip 1. You’ll Shoot Better Bridal Portraits If The Bride Feels Relaxed
The majority of brides are a bit anxious, nervous and excited all at the very same time. This is to be expected, it is her wedding day after all. As a professional photographer you must to focus on making sure the bride feels relaxed and comfy. If she does not, it will absolutely show in the pictures.
If this start of the day portrait shoot is handled correctly you will be able to go into the wedding day with fill confidence of the bride. She in turn will fully comfortable and relaxed, which will only make for better more natural photographs. Here are a few tips to get great bridal pictures and make sure your bride feels like the beauty she is.
Let her get comfy in front of the camera, begin with simple poses and shoot with plenty of casual conversation ( have a joke and be humorous if you can, because who doesn’t like a funny photographer?) . You too will discover your stride in the meantime and if you are relatively new to wedding photography your confidence is important too. As the photo taking continues the bride-to-be will slowly gain her self-confidence, and will begin looking much better and much better.
Tip 2. Brides Will Need Direction and Posing?
People who are not professionally photographed all the time want and need direction. Go on courses to learn from experienced wedding photographers if necessary. Help with the posing and make sure you are constantly complimenting her. No doubt, she would have seen some fashion and bridal magazines so know what to expect, but even then you are their guide. Newbie photographers, let me give you a tip, even natural photojournalistic wedding photographers will other times direct their bride into model poses. Set the camera aperture (for the depth of field) and shutter speed (no camera shake), and use the ISO as the variable give you perfectly exposed images (hint-hint). Also it almost goes without saying, but keep a constant eye on the direction of light and angles to create stunning portraits.
Tip 2. Are you capturing your brides in the best locations?
As you see the bride becoming more relaxed and confident in front of the camera, take her to be best venue locations which you have previously scouted. You’ll be able to offer multiple photo options the bride, and be able to create those stunning signature portraits that help convince the bride to book you in the first place.
This is a formula that I have used time and again for success.. Weddings are beautiful occasions, but these sessions can be very challenging if not handled rightly. It is your task as professional photographer to make sure that the bride is extremely at ease. I cannot stress that enough.
Now go out there and create some spectacular images!