Wedding Tips and Tricks

On your wedding day you will no doubt be looking your best, as you are both dressed up and made up - often with hours of work put into your appearance! Here are a few suggestions that might help with getting the most from your wedding photographs regardless of who is taking them.

For a few creative ideas about planning your event, and especially for the few special vendors I heartily recommend based on my personal experiences, please visit our resources page.

Posing

Chin up! Good posture is key to creating a confident and graceful look in your portraits - and any time. To stand tall without looking stiff or over-posed, imagine a string is attached to the top of your head and then pull up that string. The goal is to have good posture without throwing out your shoulders - or your back!

Angles and curves. If you are posed square to the camera, with your knees or elbows locked, you will of course feel stiff - and this is how your portraits will look too. Turn slightly to the side - usually a bit towards your new spouse! - and then let one knee unlock so you are standing comfortably. Typically for brides the foot closest to the photographer should point at the lens, and be directly in front of your other foot (yes, even under the dress).

Break the rules! Wedding photographs don't need to be predictable or contrived. Sometimes all the posing guidelines should be thrown out in favor of a spontaneous moment or a crazy idea. Have your groom pick you up for a spin, take a portrait jumping off a curb or running through a field. Most of all, have fun!