When you are planning your wedding photography, you will surely think to hire someone to take photos of the ceremony and reception. Many brides, however, will forget about the timeless tradition of having bridal portraits taken in the weeks preceding the wedding. This is what you need to know about bridal portraiture, from the very traditional to the more contemporary.
As many photos as will be taken of you on your wedding day, it is still possible to miss a few key shots. The traditional reason behind the bridal portrait is to capture images of the bride in her wedding gown, bridal jewelry, and veil from every angle. Often done in the photographer's studio, the pictures are focused on the details of the bridal ensemble, rather than capturing the action or emotion of the ceremony and reception. In this calm environment, your photographer will be able to take the time to highlight the special beauty of the bride and her attire. For a very traditional effect, consider black and white or sepia toned photographs.
Many a modern bride may think that a bridal portrait is old-fashioned or a relic of a bygone era, but don't be so quick to cast off the idea. After all, who wouldn't want a few really good images of herself in her gown and bridal jewelry? If the classic studio approach does not appeal to you, enlist the services of a photographer who specializes in more contemporary photography. You could have your portraits done in any number of interesting locations, such as the beach, a garden, your home, or even an offbeat setting like your favorite diner. Just be sure that the photos don't get so creative that the intended focus becomes lost. Also, since your pictures will be taken before the wedding day, take care to keep your gown in pristine condition. Lay a white cloth on the floor under you to keep the hem clean, if shooting in a place with a dirty floor.
The bridal portraits need to be done close to the wedding day, if for no other reason than because your gown must be fully altered. Inform your bridal salon of your portrait date when scheduling alterations, as they will need to have your wedding dress completed and pressed for the portrait date rather than the wedding date. It is a very smart idea to make plans to return your wedding dress to the bridal salon after the photo session so that it can be freshly pressed before the wedding. Expect to pay a fee for this additional service, and be sure to schedule it in advance.
Think of your portrait session as a chance to do a dry run before your wedding. Since you will need to have your hair and makeup styled for the pictures, it gives you the opportunity to perfect your bridal beauty before the big day. This is great, as you will be able to spend some time with the results to make sure that they last over the hours and that everything feels comfortable to you. The same goes for your gown. If you notice anything that is not quite right about the fit during your picture shoot, it gives you the chance for a quick adjustment before you wear your wedding gown for real.
A final tip about bridal portraiture is to look over any portraits you may have of your mother or grandmother in their wedding gowns and bridal jewelry. It is a wonderful tradition for a bride to have a couple of pictures done in a similar pose to her mother. The generations of bridal portraits will look absolutely beautiful when displayed together.
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