5 Ways to Elevate Your Getting Ready Wedding Photos - Maryland Wedding Photographer
Minimize the amount of people you get ready with
When you’re getting ready with a lot of people, or with too many people for that particular space, it negatively affects your images. If there are too many people in a space it will be harder for your photographer to take photos because of the lack of space and also because those photos are likely to have a lot of clutter in them. Dress bags, food, sneakers, clothes, duffle bags, beer cans, bras etc etc all lying around a hotel room or airbnb isn’t the best look and the more people you have in your space the worse it will be.
I usually find that the more people invited to the space the more stressful that space tends to be. Everyone has access to you and will be asking you a million questions. I recommend only inviting the people closest to you to get ready with you especially if you are working with a smaller space. Even if you have a big wedding party. People in your wedding party might also appreciate their own privacy and chill time as well!
Ultimate power move? Take a page from Heather and Brian’s book and get ready together at home with no one other than your vendor friends and pups.
2. Choose a location with lots of natural light
Window light is The. Best. Light. I mean different photographers might feel differently about this but typically natural light is the best situation.
In addition to wanting natural light, you don’t want to mix it with too much artificial lighting. Lamps and other lights indoors will cast different colors and in these circumstances one consistent light source is usually the best option. Additionally, natural light is a total mood booster which adds to a calmer atmosphere and it’s usually beneficial to makeup artists as well.
A lot of the time people ask me if I need lights turned on and are usually surprised when I say I don’t. All photographers have different preferences and capabilities but I can shoot in relatively low light situations. I would personally rather shoot in low light than with multiple differing lighting sources.
All of the photos throughout this post where taken with only natural window light.
Bonus tip: turn off the TV! If the room you are in has a TV make sure it’s turned off, otherwise you’ll have different colored lights casting into the room. Better that there is no TV in there but sometimes they are unavoidable, especially in hotel rooms.
3. Don’t use single use plastic or colorful cups and bottles.
This is actually a huge pet peeve of mine haha. Plastic cups and bottles usually end up looking like trash in the background of your photos. If you want to enjoy drinks (of any kind) while getting ready try to use something made of glass. I recommend having pitchers and glasses to pour from and into for water.
If you have to use plastic opt for a clear or colorless plastic instead of colored ones like red solo cups or hot pink kinda clear cups. Colorful vessels may seem “prettier” but they are usually just distracting pops of color in the background of photos. Colorful and personalized tumblers and things like that are also fun but don’t usually translate well in photos and usually just add to the clutter. Stick to clear things if you can!
4. Choose a neutral getting ready outfit
You don’t have to spend a bunch of money on a special robes or matching shirts and tank tops that you and your wedding party are only going to wear once. Choosing something simple and timeless will definitely add quality to your photos. Consider the fact that you are going to have photos taken in that outfit and you want all your wedding photos to flow together nicely. Whites, grays, and black and not too busy, timeless patterns are always good options that won’t date your photos. You can also choose colors that go with or compliment your wedding colors.
You also don’t HAVE to wear a button down to avoid messing up your hair and makeup. There are lots of loose options out there. If you do go with some sort of robe or dressing gown make sure to iron or steam it to get out the wrinkles first.
Bonus tip: if you’re having someone help you finish getting ready, have them get all dressed and finished before they start helping you! They’ll look better in the photos that way.
5. Have all your details ready to go for your photographer/videographer
Detail shots really help round out a wedding gallery. To help this go super smoothly and maximize your time with your photographer have all your detail items in one spot and ready to go. This way your photographer doesn’t have to bother you or anyone else working on getting ready. Put everything in a bag or box to keep it organized and safe from getting lost.
Some detail item ideas are
1. Your outfit including veils and shoes
2. All your jewelry and accessories such as rings, earrings, necklaces, watches etc
3. Perfume or cologne (hot tip: pick a special scent just for your wedding day, that way when you smell that scent you’re mentally transported pack to your day!)
4. Invitations
5. Flowers, bouquets, boutonnières etc (if your florist is going to be there ask if you can have just a couple flowers or a little greenery for this purpose)
6. Family heirlooms and photos
