Well you know if you’re getting married that it’s a given that you will spend more time on your wedding than on any other day getting ready for it. Most likely professional hair and makeup stylists will be there making sure you look your very best. And it is something that if you were thinking to do it yourself, having it done for you can be not only relaxing, but a great stress reliever. Plus it’s time spent with your best friends and your closest relatives, often your mother or your sisters. So why should you have your photographer capture these moments for you? I’m so glad you asked because I want to give a little insight into this little talked about aspect of your wedding day.
As photographers it’s deeply gratifying to be able to convey the story of your wedding from start to finish without restrictions on the amount of time we have. Now understanding that not all weddings have unlimited budgets, we design packages that we feel will best serve most scenarios no matter what the budget constraints may be. With that in mind, let me share with you some reasons to include the getting ready portion into your wedding photography.
At first take you may feel that having a photographer there while you are getting ready could add to the stress because you may worry that we are going to pose you or interfere when all you want to do is relax. The reality is that we are there to capture the day as it unfolds naturally with little direction during the getting ready portion because just capturing the natural anticipation, the hugs between friends, the glances from mother to daughter, are what make this time so special. As wedding photographers we know it is our job to be as unobtrusive as possible so don’t worry about us being there because you will be grateful that you have those little moments captured.
Another wonderful aspect of doing the getting ready shots is that we get to capture the details from your dress, to jewelry, to any sentimental items you have incorporated into your day. When you go to design your wedding album, it is part of the story and a great way to set the stage for the rest of your wedding photography.
This piece of jewelery was her mom’s when she got married.
This was Penny’s dad’s wedding band.
It’s also a good idea if you can keep clutter to a minimum. Having a nice clean space to get ready in will make it easier to focus on what is being captured versus, everything else around that is distracting from the main subject of the image.
In terms of the getting ready space, it’s great if the room you are getting ready in has plenty of natural light. If for some reason it does not, don’t worry because we do use off camera flash and will still be able to capture beautiful pictures of these moments. The below image is with natural light and the second image is with flash.
Make sure you bring your wedding invitation, jewelery you will wear, any gifts to the bride or groom, your shoes, your dress, and your veil if you have one, so those items get captured as well.
Another way to enjoy this time is to have your favorite music playing. It can set the mood for a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Don’t forget to take the time to eat a good breakfast. You will be so glad you did when the day wears on and you want to feel your best.
Most of all, just have a good time. Relax and enjoy this time as it does go by quickly but feel at ease knowing that we got it captured for you to relive anytime you want.
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