Want to make your wedding pictures enjoyable and unforgettable? Here are our top tips for both the bride and groom on how to pose for your wedding pictures.
Wedding photos – what should they say about you?
Sure, you’ve hired a wedding photographer and they’re bound to get some great photos… but what are your expectations for your wedding album?
Your wedding photos are more than just pictures of you and your loved ones smiling down the lens of a camera. Creating them is an experience in itself and this is why you should forward plan how you’d like the whole day to play out, as the photographer will play a big part in it.
What will your photos say about you? Will they be fun, silly, classic, or romantic?
Types of wedding photos
Traditionally, photographers at weddings were asked to take photos of the happy couple alongside their loved ones in different formations. But your wedding photos don’t have to conform to tradition, and you can inject your own personality into yours.
Aside from the way you decide to show yourselves in your photos, there’s also questions surrounding the, well, surroundings.
Do you want to make the most of the sunshine on your skin, or do you want to wait for those last rays which cast atmospheric shadows on your faces? If getting married during winter, will you aim to get action shots in the snow or have yourselves dancing in the rain to get that so-called money shot?
Things to discuss with your photographer
It’s important to advise your photographer early on of your hopes for your wedding photos. Not only can they then help you to determine a plan of action, but if they aren’t sure they can meet your needs then they can suggest that you search for an individual who is more suitable, saving you a lot of time, money and stress!
Top tip: You should always look at your prospective photographer’s portfolio to see the types of shots they take as many will have a particular style.
It’s a good idea to sit down with your photographer and look through examples of their work, telling him/her which ones are your favourites and what exactly you like about them (for example lighting, colours, poses, etc…). Even if you are a bit clueless when it comes to photography, this will help all parties involved to understand what the other needs or wants.
Top tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the photographer if they can do something a little different to what you’ve seen in their pack – they might be grateful for the opportunity to veer away from conventional images!
Think about what time of day you want your photos taken – will you have your ceremony photographed as well as some more intimate shots afterwards? Would you like to have some memories recorded from the reception? Is your wedding day going to follow the usual structure or will your photo opportunities come at a different time to the norm? All of these factors will impact on how long your photographer will need to be on site, whether they might need an assistant and if you need to reserve some budget for feeding and watering them.
It goes without saying that you should also be aware of the types of shots you want from the day. Will you go for traditional posed photographs, pictures of natural reactions, or a bit of both?
Tips for posing for wedding photographs
Just the thought of wedding photos can be a little daunting for some, so we’ve got some tips to help you both feel confident when posing for your wedding photos.
Brides
As much as you want your photos to come across as natural, there are certain things to remember if you want to capture your best angles.
Try to create triangular shapes to enhance your body and make you appear more relaxed (i.e. place your hand on your hip and create a soft bend in your knee).
Top tip: If you are camera shy, then you might feel more at ease looking away from the lens and into the distance. Do whatever you need to feel comfortable!
Poses to avoid are those that can appear morphed like standing face on with your arms flat against your body.
There are some photo poses that always have a place in the wedding album, and here’s just a few examples:
- Admiring the bridal gown
- Having hair and make-up done
- Posing with the bridesmaids in gowns
- Re-reading vows
- In the car with father
- Veil shot
Grooms
For grooms who aren’t used to being in front of a camera, it’s important first and foremost to relax. Unlike the bride, you’ll likely have your hands free which can cause a conundrum – what should you do with them!?
Do what feels most comfortable, whether that is to place your hands in your pockets, put your hands behind your back or possibly cross your hands over in front of your body. It’s best to avoid crossing your arms, though, unless you want to face the wrath of your new wife for looking angry on your wedding day!
Here are some of the typical shots taken of the groom:
- Mirror shaving shot
- Tying tie/bow tie
- Buttoning up jacket
- The first look
Top tip: Use a prop like sunglasses or a personalised hip flask to hold onto if you feel lost without something to hold on to.
Couples/groups
If your photographer is asked to take natural shots, then he or she will fade into the background and there will be less for you to think about. However, for those posed images, try to keep it light-hearted. A cheeky pinch of the bottom out of shot might help to put you both at ease when taking more intimate images!
When it comes to your group shots, consider if you want them to be formal or if you’d like to see pictures of you embracing your loved ones, shaking hands, with your arms around one another, and so on.
Happy, relaxed subjects make for the best photos!
Ensuring you’re happy with the outcome
Photographers want their photos to look great, so they want you to look great, but they also want to portray the real you! So our advice is to relax be yourself and enjoy every moment and that will shine through your images.