Getting the Best Wedding Day Photos: Tips and Ideas for Poses
On your wedding day, you want to look good. Not just an ordinary-weekday-good, but one-of-the-most-important-days-of-your-life kind of good. It’s my job to help you feel comfortable in front of the camera and guide your movement so that you look great in every shot! The main points that I make for getting the best portraits on your wedding day center around comfort, movement, and timing.
Essential Pro Tips for Wedding Photo Poses
I know it can be overwhelming to be in front of a camera, so remember that there is no wrong way to do anything. It’s important that you just do what comes naturally without questioning yourselves because it’s the little imperfections that make it better! Consider these rules for your session:
- Rule #1: lean into the camera, not away from it. We’ll be moving around a lot and leaning into the camera is what creates those money shots!
- Relax into every pose: You don’t want a death grip on each other. My rule of thumb is “if it bends, bend it,” meaning, loosening up your elbows, fingers, etc. Take a deep breath, relax your hands, and shake it out–literally if you need to!
- Keep moving: Even though there are some amazing wedding photo poses that I love, your best bet is to keep moving. Movements can be super small like swaying, running your fingers down your partner’s arm, or caressing their hair.
- Follow the prompts: Keep doing the prompt until your photographer says you can stop. If I tell you to “walk together towards me” or “snuggle up” then just keep going!
The Importance of Timing and Lighting
When capturing photography wedding poses at an outdoor or backyard wedding, everything depends upon the weather and the lighting. The wedding day timeline basically determines the kinds of photos we can take! Giving your photographer time lets them have the space to create those magical moments. You might only get surface-level photos if you squeeze your wedding photo ideas into a short amount of time. Honestly, the bottom line is this is about you two so your photos together should get the time they deserve!
Sunset photos are my favorite–everything looks the most epic, dynamic and romantic with that golden light! To help plan your day, here is a guide for timing your session:
| Activity | Recommended Timing & Strategy |
|---|---|
| Sunset Portraits | Block out at least 10-15 mins; the golden light is most romantic. |
| Ceremony Start | At a minimum, the ceremony must start 1.5 hours before sunset. |
| Rain Plan | Clear umbrellas look good on camera or use an alternate indoor spot. |
| Large Groups | Divide family photos into smaller segments like immediate family before the ceremony. |
Must-Have Wedding Photo Ideas
As an experienced wedding photographer, I’ve put a short list of some must-have wedding photo ideas for you. No matter what happens on your wedding day you have to live in the moment and enjoy the wedding for what it is. Here are some key elements to capture:
- The Rings: I’ll find ways to capture the rings in other settings like at a destination wedding.
- Make Up Moment: I love to document as much of the getting ready process as possible, including the make-up touch-ups.
- The Wedding Shoes: I love the natural moment of the shoes being put on in a dynamic way.
- A Bridal Portrait: Once your hair and make-up are complete and you’re in your wedding dress, I love to make beautiful portraits in a non-fussy way.
- The Veil: There are so many ways to take photos of a veil. I’ll shoot it close and I’ll shoot it far to provide movement and context.
- The Bridal Bouquet: I love to isolate the flowers and make a photo of the bouquet all by itself, bringing in some context of the location.
Planning Your Dream Elopement
Planning the perfect elopement is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. One of many reasons an elopement can be better than a traditional wedding is because location opportunities are ENDLESS. Whether you want to get away to the mountains, explore a national park, or exchange your vows at the beach, there are countless possibilities.
When coming up with elopement ideas, consider making the entire day about you and your love. The best way to do this is to include activities throughout the day that you both enjoy. Make it authentic and adventurous! Your vows should be your way of sharing your commitment and love to your partner; they can be long, short, funny, or serious–anything in between!