I’m continuing my blog series on how to get the best wedding day photos – and now we’re up to the main event! The bride and groom portraits!

Five Tips for How to Get the Best Bride and Groom Portraits on Your Wedding Day

1. Trust your photographer. Hopefully you hired them for a reason – because you love the images they create! Let your photographer to their thing and produce those images that you love! If you have a handful of “must have” photos – discuss this with them ahead of time. Most of us feel that long shot lists can get distracting and a hindrance on our groove, but we’re always happy to squeeze in a few requests.
2. Relax. I know this is hard, but hopefully your photographer will make you feel comfortable. Be in the moment. Don’t be afraid to laugh and giggle at how silly it might feel – but try to avoid making silly faces or talking too much. I promise the photos will turn out okay! If you need to have a cocktail ahead of time, that’s okay – but try not to have too many!
3. Now is not the time to be shy! Embrace the emotions! In my opinion, photos look awkward if the couple is kissing but they have a foot of space between them (helllooo middle school dance). Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold onto each other! This is the time to fully embrace and lean into each other – go up on your tippy toes to get that “tension” in your photo. That little extra “oomph” can make all the difference. I know it might feel silly – but you just have to go for it!
4. Discuss locations. Why did you pick your venue? If there is an amazing location or piece of the venue that you want to highlight in photos, be sure to discuss this with your photographer. Sometimes the lighting may not be the best, but it is still worth capturing you two with your favorite area of your venue.
5. Give thoughtful feedback based on engagement photos. I can’t speak for everyone – but I love getting thoughtful feedback from the engagement session. If there were poses that the couple loved – I want to know. If the couple realizes they prefer one angle of their face more than others – I want to know! This way, we can get the best photos, in the most efficient way possible.

See more from this “get the best photos” series here:

• Wedding Detail Photos
• Getting Ready Photos
• Ceremony Photos
• First Look Photos
• Wedding Party Photos
• Family Photos
• Reception Detail Photos
• Cake Cutting Photos
• Send Off Photos

We are a husband and wife Bay area wedding photography team. We strive to capture joyful moments. We use film and digital cameras to capture your wedding with a timeless, fine art approach.