Simple tips for better wedding day photos
As a documentary-style photographer, I find the uniqueness of every single wedding I photograph to be exciting. I reject implications that any given wedding couple must check off certain boxes. I don’t believe you “have to” straighten up your getting ready space for photos, or present all of your details for flat lay shots, or do a room reveal at your reception, or a first look, or anything else formulaic that the wedding industry at large suggests. If you WANT to do these things, of course that is okay. A want is different than a requirement.
I genuinely love walking into a wedding day with fresh eyes, without an exact formula, ready to document what is in front of me. I find that shooting this way fuels my creativity and helps me create images that are unique to your specific wedding day.
That being said, there are a couple of tried and true (and EASY) tips that I’ve found almost always help to either make for a better photograph, or make for less stress which equals better photographs, or somewhere in between.
Tip 1
HANDWRITTEN, TYPED, OR MEMORIZED SPEECHES
Phones are obviously a huge part of our daily lives, and it makes sense that many people may work on their wedding day speeches on-the-go. However, when it comes to the wedding day, I suggest holding a paper or notebook during the actual speech - it looks classier and more timeless than reading off of a phone. This also prevents that weird upward glow on the speech-giver’s face from the phone screen, which generally doesn’t photograph well.
Tip 2
PARENT DANCES BEFORE FIRST DANCE
Some reception locations can be dark with tricky lighting - this is something wedding photographers are used to and well-prepared for. We know how to set up our lighting and adjust our camera settings accordingly. However, in my experience sometimes there can be “sweet spot” for first dance photos - where the lighting and background elements come together to create a very pretty image - usually found after circling the dance floor during the couple’s first dance. And usually by that time you get a few frames in and the song ends, moving onto parent dances. If you’re doing special dances at your wedding, I propose doing the parent dances first followed by the first dance with your partner. By that time, if there’s a “sweet spot,” it will have been found and can be fully utilized.
Tip 3
WEAR A VEIL OR A CAPE
If you’re on the fence about a veil, may I gently tip you toward “yes?” I have never met a veil that I didn’t love. A veil (or cape!) will always add an extra element of drama and elegance and sometimes even joy or humor. A veil gone slightly rouge on the breeze, enfolding a figure beneath, or simply resting on an arm, truly makes for such beautiful imagery.
(extra tip: the longer, the better!)
Tip 4
WEDDING V.I.P.S
I’ve noticed a trend of couples nixing formal wedding parties and instead opting for a group of wedding VIPs. What’s a wedding VIP? Well, it’s a term I made up. Think of it as a wedding party’s older, more mature sibling. Wedding VIPs function in some similar ways to a wedding party, without having to dress the same, do hours of wedding party photos, or have bouquets/boutionnieres.
These are your closest friends and/or family members. Maybe a few of them help you get ready (maybe not - up to you). We set aside a bit of time to take some group photos together, and maybe they’re seated at the head table with you during the reception. Having wedding VIPs allows you to honor your friends without the pressure that comes with having bridesmaids or groomsmen.
This creates a bit more of a laid-back atmosphere - less stress, better photos. I’m not usually one for trends, but this one I can get behind.
