So it sure has been a while since we did a Tips and Tricks post! We love these and we’re so excited to jump back into them today with some advice for Brides. Today we’re talking about The Bridal Portrait. That timeless snapshot of a Bride on her wedding day, hidden away in a peaceful moment amongst the usual chaos. This photo becomes the iconic image of a woman on her wedding day. This is the portrait of the Bride. The Bride!
Your hair and makeup are finished, you’ve stepped into your dress, buttoned the last button, secured your veil and looked in the mirror. Since you woke that morning, you’ve been going non stop without a quite moment to yourself. Everyone has had questions for you, you’ve been watching the weather, something is behind schedule, you hurried through a few bites of food, re-painted chipped nail polish, and bounced from one place to the next. You’re in your dress, it’s almost time to go, and you haven’t taken a moment to yourself yet. Take a moment. Heck, take a few moments to just be still and realize you are ready. Take it all in, cry it out, laugh out loud or stare at your reflection in the mirror for as long as you need to. That’s you, friend. That gorgeous woman in the white dress is you, and today is your wedding day. Take your moment.
It’s this time of the day we step out of photographer mode and into friend mode, with the intention of being a calming force for our Brides. Once a Bride is completely ready and the group has ooo’d and awwww’d over her beauty, we gently and kindly ask everyone to leave the room for a few moments of quiet bridal portraits. When the room is clear, we’ll take just a few minutes to photograph the beauty that is before us and document this moment in each Bride’s life. Typically we focus just on portraits from the waist up, and call this series of photos our “Bridal Beauty” portraits. We’ll have plenty of time for full length bridal photos later in the day during the couple’s portraits. Now is the time to focus on a Bride’s expression in the quiet moments before the chaos takes over again.
When we’re finished with our short photo series, we step back and give her the time she needs. Keeping that door closed, allowing each Bride to take in these few minutes alone. When she’s ready, we hand her the bouquet, smile, and open the door to the next step.
Always build in time for these moments. Not for the photos (though they are essential to have). Take this time for yourself, breathe, wink at yourself in the mirror… then go get married.
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