A wedding is a magical and unique day for anyone who decides to make it a milestone in their life. Capturing it and keeping it imprinted in a memory album is of fundamental importance for any couple, which is why it often risks becoming an additional thought, an extra anxiety to worry about on a day that should be anything but distressing, but rather light and fairy-tale-like.
The bride, needless to say, is probably the main element, who resembles the appearance of a princess and who, for this reason, deserves preferential treatment when it comes to wedding photos.Whether it’s the photos taken during the celebrations, or a post-wedding shoot, there can be various tricks to make the bride relax as much as possible, make her feel at her best and allow her to entrust every thought to the photographer. Let’s see what these tips are!
Dress to impress: choosing the right wedding dress
The wedding dress is undoubtedly the highlight of a bride’s figure, so it’s really important to be careful in selecting the right one.
To do it wisely, the bride should take her body shape in consideration, along with her personal style, in order to enhance the physical attributes that she likes the most about herself, and try to hide or cover the ones she feels the most insecure about. For example, a-line dresses are universally flattering, while mermaid cuts highlight curves.
Pay attention to the fabric as well: satin and silk offer a classic look, while lace and tulle add a romantic and princess-like touch.
Also, the bride shouldn’t sacrifice the fit for the look: it’s important to ensure that the dress fits perfectly, it’s comfortable and allows her to move gracefully and naturally, with confidence.
Perfecting hair and makeup
Makeup and hair are essential in photography, especially to take fantastic close-ups of the bride.
The main aspect is always to opt for something that makes the bride feel at ease, because only in this way will she feel 100% confident, and this confidence will then also be reflected in the photographs. On the contrary, choosing makeup that is too heavy for her taste, or a certain hairstyle just because it is trendy… this will greatly highlight the bride’s discomfort!
For hair, it’s important to opt for a style that also suits the dress: for example, if it’s a dress that highlights the neck, it will probably be useful to keep the hair tied up so as not to hide this element. If the bride is looking for a more relaxed and non-chalant vibe, a good option is keeping the hairs loose, perhaps with beautiful long curls that fall on the back. It all depends on the style of the wedding and what vibe she wants to convey with the wedding photos.
When it comes to makeup, whether she does it yourself, or a friend or a makeup artist does it, it’s important that the bride clearly communicate what she thinks her strengths are, what she wants to highlight, and what she wants to cover up, to make sure the natural features are highlighted.
Accessorizing with elegance
Accessories are the finishing touch to the look, and here too, of course, the rule of the bride’s personal taste applies. But, in any case, a good rule to follow is to choose pieces that complement the look, and do not overwhelm it: a well-constructed look is a coherent look, where everything works to make the bride’s look perfect and tailor-made for her. For this reason, it’s useful to choose simple and elegant pieces, perhaps ones that provide points of light, so as not to capture too much attention.
Even jewellery, however small and simple, can be used to elevate some physical aspects, drawing attention to them and avoiding enlarging others. For example, if the bride doesn’t like her ears… it would be better for her to avoid large and bulky diamond earrings!
Considering the style and colour of the veil is also crucial, to make sure that everything is aligned with the main theme and the vibe she wants to convey.
Lighting matters: working with natural and artificial light
Understanding lighting is essential for achieving beautiful wedding photos, and this job is mostly for the wedding photographer, but communicating with him is essential to understand what are the expectances of the bride and how she wants her wedding photos to turn out.
Natural light, especially during the golden hour, can create soft, flattering images with a magical glow. Indoor photos are more difficult to work with, because the light can easily distort the colours or create unwanted, harsh shadows, but a good photographer knows how to use reflectors and diffusers to balance the lighting, and especially highlight the bride’s best features.
It’s important that the bride discuss with her photographer the best time to capture outdoor photos, and also the elements that she wants to put the attention to. Light plays an important role in photography, and playing with it can result in really stunning and creative wedding pictures.
Posing with confidence: the power of posture
This aspect is often not taken into consideration, and forgotten, but it has a dramatic impact on how the bride appears in the photos.
It can be helpful for her to practice standing with her shoulders back and chin slightly lifted to elongate the neck; or angling her body slightly away from the camera to create a slimming effect: practice these poses before the big day can ensure that on the big day they come natural and feel easy to the bride.
Relaxing the hands and the facial expressions is also helpful in order to avoid stiffness, that can translate into awkward photos.
The photographer can guide the bride on different poses on the moment, but being prepared will not hurt!
Working with the photographer: communication is key
If it wasn’t clear until now… communication with the photographer is essential for capturing wedding photos. It’s important that the bride shares her preferences, any specific shots she desires, and the overall vision she’s aiming for; she can also consider creating a shot list to ensure no important moments are missed.
A good photographer will provide guidance and suggestions, but the bride’s input ensures the photos reflect her style and the vibe she’s looking for.
If she chooses her wedding photographer wisely, based on the type of pictures that resonates the most with her, and she communicates with him and builds trust, she will for sure not have to worry about a thing. He will be like a ghost on the day, so the bride will relax and enjoy the experience, without having to care about a thing, and this way… the photos will appear even more genuine and beautiful!
Staying relaxed and enjoying the moment
Amidst the excitement of the wedding day, it’s important to stay relaxed and savour each moment. Stress can show on the bride’s face and affect the posture, so… take deep breaths and focus on the joy of the occasion.
Surround with supportive friends and family who can help keep you calm. Embrace the spontaneity of the day; sometimes the best photos come from unplanned, candid moments. By staying present and enjoying the experience, happiness will shine through the photos, creating memories that reflect the love and joy of the special day!
Conclusions
Creating stunning wedding photos is about more than just appearance: it’s about capturing the emotions and joy of the day. By focusing on the crucial aspects we focused on this article, like the dress, hair and makeup, lighting, posing, and communication with the photographer, the bride can ensure her wedding pictures are a beautiful reflection of an unforgettable day!
These photos will serve as cherished reminders of the love and happiness experienced, capturing moments that she will treasure for a lifetime with her loved ones.