All you have to do to get the best wedding photos is to hire the best wedding photographer, right? Then you just show up and everything will be great. You’ll get the most amazing photos ever. Right? Well, maybe…
There are many really talented and great photographers out there for you to choose from. In most cases, they have the technical skill to get beautiful captures with their equipment. And since everything has gone digital, that is more often the case now than it was before. Back when weddings were shot on film, the wedding photographer had to know how to get a perfect exposure in every lighting situation without the imediate feedback that we have now with our LED screens. And, of course, we didn’t have Photoshop back then to edit out all of our mistakes.
How do you go about choosing a photographer? Do you base it on their position on the first page of Google? Does that mean they are really great at their craft, or just really good at SEO? Or do you dig a little deeper and really look at their portfolio, their Instagram account, client reviews, etc.? I’m not going to answer that question for you. You can figure that one out on your own.
But that is not the real issue we are discussing here. The real issue is how do YOU get the best photographs for your wedding no matter who you hire as a photographer? In other words, even if you can’t afford the best, most expensive (?) shooter you can find, can you get really great photos? Yes, you can. Here’s some tips that will help you do just that.
If you are like 99% of people, you have never been a model and feel pretty shy and awkward in front of a professional photographer. In that case, you understandably rely on the photographer to know how to pose you. Which he or she will do over and over again. But no matter how creative in the moment the photographer is, you will never get your best photos that way. And that’s because most photographers have a limited repertoire. They kind of use the same “go to” poses for every couple they encounter. Why is that? Because it is really a challenge to be super creative “off the cuff” every time you do a photo session. It’s easy for a photographer to fall into the trap of repeating what they have done before. Been there. Done that. So sometimes it works out for the couple. Sometimes it doesn’t.
I’ve been doing weddings as an officiant since 1989, when I got ordained, and as a photographer since 1998. I’ve now been involved in over 1000 weddings both large and small. It has been my experience that most couples will spend up to a year or more planning every single detail of their wedding – including hiring their photographer, but don’t spend even one hour planning their photo session. After all of the flowers wilt and fade, the dress is packed up or sold, the cake is eaten or thrown out and the party glitter has been swept into the rubbish bin, all you have left are the photos. So why are they the least considered part of your planning? Because you think all you have to do is hire the “right” photographer, show up, and then rely on the “expert.” And that may work, or it may not, but there is a better way.
Here’s my advice…
1. Spend 20 – 30 hours or more reviewing photos on Pinterest or Instagram or some other photo-centric platform. Screen shot the ones that you want to emulate. Put them in a file on your phone and add to them as you encounter another great shot. Then, practice them together with your partner on your own a few times. Ask a friend to take the photos on your phone. Then on the day of your wedding, show them to your photographer and say “Can we try this pose?” I promise you the photographer will love you for it. They will still have their “go to” poses to shoot, but you will help them get out of their rut and inspire them to be more creative. A totally collaborative session will ensue and you will be the benificiary.
2. Learn to pose like models. I have photographed many models. (See a few above). And I can tell immediately when someone with professional modeling experience steps in front of my camera. (The wedding featured in this post was a bride with modeling experience. Can you tell?)
What do models do?
- They move a little after every click of the camera. Rather than standing still and “posing” for a shot, they are in constant – yet mostly subtle – motion. They are relying on the photographer to capture the best “look” out of many options.
- They treat each area of their body as a unique entity. Eyes, mouth, head, arms, hands, torso, legs and even feet.
- The eyes are always the most important element in every photo. So why is having them closed sometimes the best pose? Because it can convey emotion and intensity of feeling – passion. Do you close your eyes when you kiss? Or when you are being kissed? Practice photos on you own with your eyes open and closed. Occassionally look directly into the camera, but also know that gazing intently away – sometimes down, sometimes into the distance – can be the better expression. The key is to change it up. Keep them in motion.
- Notice in movies that when the couples first kiss they touch their faces? Touching the face, hair and neck region gently is romantic and makes for great photos.
- Re-orienting your body to one another. Most couples are frozen in face-to-face poses. Mix it up. Side to side. Back to back. Back to front.
- Consider your clothing as part of the pose. Move it around. Swish your skirt. Undo that tie. Hands in pockets. Motion makes magic happen.
- Most importantly, relax and have fun. Look like you are enjoying yourselves. Smile and laugh – not so much at the camera, but toward each other. Be playful with each other. But also note that when in intense romantic moods, no smile and eyes closed, may be the best expression of all.
3. Finally, know what you want and let your photographer know. Ultimately, you are in control of whether your photos are good, or great. The more you take personal responsibility and then contribute creatively, the better they will be.
And, if you would like for me to photograph your wedding – large or small, then I will send you the Pinterest boards that I have created of couple and wedding poses that inspire me.
May all your photos be great,
Mark Robertson
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