15 Ways You Can Make Your Images Better
Here are 10 easy things that you can do to help us create those fantastic images.
1. Plan for your photos. We need 15-20 minutes alone to create some of those relaxed romantic portraits that everyone loves. It’s this mini-session that allows us to get creative and capture some fun, relaxed, moody, playful and romantic shots. This is the number one way to ensure great images. Please plan for them in your schedule.
2. Plan in a realistic amount of time for your hair and makeup. This is the number one time line killer at weddings and nothing adds stress to your day like running behind.
3. Don’t overdo the makeup. This is especially true for those of you that normally don’t wear much. You want to look like you would normally look to go out for the evening. Many brides think that they need more makeup for their photos. This simply isn’t true. Some makeup is fine but you don’t want to appear drastically different than normal. Same goes for tanning. The day before you get married is not the time to get a tan.
4. Drink responsibly. Sounds silly - and believe me, I’m not trying to sound preachy here - but moderation is the key. You don’t want to get so sloshed that you can’t remember the day (or the night before). No one looks really good when they’ve had too much to drink. Also, make it a point to eat something, as it helps you hold what alcohol you do drink, and keeps your energy level up all day too.
5. Inform your family. Make sure all your important family members know they are supposed to go back to the altar (or wherever your ceremony was) immediately following the ceremony for the formal photographs. If all the players are there, we can do the formals quickly, and get everyone on to the reception.
6. It’s your party so enjoy it! I want to see you on the dance floor.
7. Look at each other. Here’s a big one… During your key dances (i.e. - First Dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son)… LOOK AT EACH OTHER!!! This is the time you have been waiting for. Go ahead, get emotional, get mushy and forget about all the guests. Forget about your photographer. I’ve told you to look at the camera all day but now what I REALLY want is you two looking into each others eyes. Same goes for your parents dances. Remember this is a huge moment for them too so acknowledge the stature of the moment by sharing it with them. Look them in the eye… you won’t be sorry.
8. Put down the camera. The last thing you want to do is pay a professional photographer and then run around all day documenting your wedding with your cellphone camera. And for that matter, put your cellphone away until after the honeymoon – you deserve it!
9. Delegate all the tasks for the day. It’s why you have bridesmaids. Their whole job for the day is not to party,… it’s to help you (thus the term attendants). The less you have to worry about on your big day, the better. Delegate and relax.
10. Plan your exit strategy. This avoids you incurring overtime charges from your DJ & reception venue and brings the event to a nice emotional closure.
11. Hire Knowledgeable Photographers. Photographers are not magicians and we can’t make you look half your size. But at the same time, you don’t want someone making you look twice as big. Positioning, lighting, lens selection, camera height and many other factors come into play when making you look your best.
12. Lower Your Chin and Accentuate Your Eyes. The beauty of a portrait is in the eyes. For a variety of reasons, many brides are reluctant to lower their chins. If you tilt your chin back, you will accentuate it and narrow your eyes. Slightly lowering your chin will widen and accentuate your eyes.
13. Hold your Flowers Correctly. The bouquet should typically be held at belly button height. This will lower your shoulders, reveal your bodice and allow your arms to naturally fall at a slenderizing and pleasing 45-degree angle.
14. Don’t Slouch. Everyone wants to look lean and long but it’s impossible to do if you’re slouching. It’s easy to bend on your wedding day when you have the dress, veil, train and bouquet weighing you down but you must resist the urge for photos. When you slouch you’ll always look shorter and wider. Standing straight makes you look taller and thinner. Remind yourself periodically to stand up tall and smile.
15. Don’t Stand Flat-Footed. It’s only when we get nervous that we tend to “stand at attention”. This causes the stiff look that you probably dislike in pictures. If you gently bend your front knee, your weight will naturally shift towards your back leg. This will lower your back hip and raise your front shoulder, giving you a more natural, curvy look.
