Wedding photo session

For all newlyweds, a wedding is a unique memorable day. In addition to the general festive mood, flowers and congratulations, the presence of a professional photographer and camera is mandatory, because the photos will be interesting to look at years later, to show to children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, not everyone has the gift of posing for the camera at ease. This is especially true for shy grooms, who sometimes worry no less than their brides during preparations for the wedding.
In order for photography to be most successful, it is worthwhile to think over the basic techniques and poses in advance, rehearse them together in front of a mirror, and then give a hint to the photographer.

How to pose for the bride?
Of course, the highlight of any wedding and its main focus is the beautiful bride. On this day, all eyes and flashlights are riveted to her magical image, carefully thought out and verified. Therefore, for a wedding archive, it is worth capturing all the subtleties of the dress, makeup and bouquet. It will be useful to subtly beat the shoes and manicure in the photographs. Of the main classic images for a portrait of the bride, the following can be distinguished.

Close up top view
A good angle, suitable for any type of face. The girl can sit on a chair or in a car, look up into the lens from the bottom up.
In this position, the upper elements of the hairstyle, makeup, jewelry on the veil or hair, earrings and necklaces are clearly visible.
A look from under the veil
A mysterious gentle image with a sweet smile and a sparkling look. The bride stands sideways to the photographer, slightly bowing her head, the camera is focused on her eyes. The veil in this case will serve as a background — a light cloud around the bride’s face.
Dress as a symbol
You can capture a wedding attire with standard full-length photos, with a bouquet of flowers, in front or in a semi-profile. But in order to make an unusual accent and highlight the subtleties for which the dress was chosen, you need to come up with something original. For example, the look of the bride over her shoulder, with her back to the lens. Often wedding dresses have a stunningly beautiful back that is not inferior to the neckline. In addition, in such a photo the neck, jewelry and curls of the bride will be visible.
If the photo is of a smaller plan, then you can emphasize both the beautiful curve of the waist and the lacing of the corset.
Emphasis on shoes
Wedding shoes are the subject of special pride of any bride. After all, a wedding is almost a fabulous event, and everyone wants to feel like a princess. Shoes are chosen according to the outfit and are most often worn only once. So why not capture this attribute? To add aesthetics, a photo with a shoe can be beaten according to the classic version of Cinderella, on the beautiful staircase of a palace, mansion, park. You can also demonstrate the shoes in a playful pose, slightly raising the edge of the crinoline, while looking down at your feet.
Emphasis on manicure
Wedding nail art has been popular for quite some time, there are even special styles of manicure for brides. It is distinguished by special solemnity and femininity, it is difficult to confuse it with evening or everyday wear.
You can capture beautiful nails during close-ups of the exchange of rings, as well as when the groom takes the bride’s hand in his hands.
Poses for the groom
It so happened in the wedding tradition that the image of the groom in the photographs complements and completes the image of the bride. Poses are chosen depending on the wishes of the couple, but they should be as natural as possible and fit the newlyweds in character. It is worth deciding in advance which image the groom will broadcast on camera. It can be a gentle knight or a brutal head of the family, a protector or a passionate lover.
Depending on the image, the appropriate pose is selected in a particular photo.
- A kneeling knight holding the bride’s hand or holding out a bouquet. The photo is taken in profile.
- Photo in pre-revolutionary retro style. The head of the family sits on a chair, and the bride stands a little behind, putting her hand on the groom’s shoulder.
- Embrace from behind, when the groom’s hands lie on the bride’s waist, symbolize patronage and protection. At the same time, the bride looks into the lens, and the groom can gently kiss her on the ear or blissfully revel in the smell of her hair.
Photos with elements of humor, funny poses and faces will not be superfluous, if the groom is not against funny foolishness.
Separately, the portrait of the groom can be captured surrounded by friends, beating a cheerful company in any suitable way. Or the groom standing on the steps of the registry office and looking excitedly at his watch.
How to stand together?
All of the above is only a small part of the wedding album, and you should not get hung up on single photos. The main part of the archive, of course, should be joint photos of the newlyweds. To draw up a rough plan of wedding poses, it is worth mentally going through the solemn ceremony from the very beginning. Meeting with the bride. A touching moment, which in the photograph is intended to express joy and a long-awaited connection.
Casual poses with smiles and even laughter successfully convey a feeling of happiness.
- The groom can pick up the bride in his arms and lift it up a little. It will seem that the couple ran towards each other.
- Strong hugs symbolize a meeting after a long separation, because for lovers, every minute seems like an eternity.
- Slow rapprochement, when the groom looks with hope and timidity at the approaching modest bride, who has her eyes downcast.
In the registry office, during the wedding procedure, the photographer can choose any close-ups — they will all be good for the wedding album. The moment of the announcement of husband and wife, the signature on the certificate, the exchange of rings and, of course, the first kiss in the status of husband and wife. As a rule, during the ceremony there is no time and desire to be distracted by thoughts about planned poses, so let there be natural emotions and experiences.
A photo session in a studio is held after painting, usually in a beautiful hall or hall of the registry office.
Happy newlyweds can be captured against the backdrop of mirrors or in beautiful armchairs, if the setting allows.
Group photos with relatives and close friends are also taken here. It is also important to record the moment of congratulations to the newlyweds, when the guests present flowers and say their first wishes.
Creative photographs can show the exit of a newly-married couple under the handle from the registry office, which is accompanied by actions in the form of sprinkling with rose petals or white doves released into the sky. All these moments will perfectly complement the wedding album. If possible, the groom can carry the bride out of the registry office in his arms.
The photographer at this moment should be careful to capture the smiling face of the groom, and not the concentrated, serious, when he tries to hold the bride and not stumble on the stairs.
Any wedding is a sea of kisses and hugs. You can make a whole selection of touching photos and insert them into the album on each page between all other photos.
- The groom gently hugs the bride by the waist, Eskimo kiss nose to nose, eye to eye. Camera on the side.
- The same pose, but the back view of the bride. The groom’s hands form a heart on the waist of his beloved. In this photo, the back of the bride’s dress will be clearly visible.
- Touching poses are obtained with the touches of the groom’s hand on the tender face of the bride, with a patronizing kiss on the forehead.
- A thoughtful pose, when the groom hugs the bride to him and looks into the distance, as if through the years, and she trustingly presses against his chest and closes her eyes.
In the bosom of nature
Landscapes at any time of the year look much more alive than any interior delights, so do not neglect the natural beauties to create wedding photos. If the weather and air temperature allow, you can plan a walk outside or a short trip out of town to scenic spots with your guests.
The colors of the sunny summer season will decorate wedding photos better than any designer. Depending on the area, choose the most picturesque corners and try to feel what nature itself will tell you.
On the sea coast, these can be romantic poses on the sand, a couple’s gaze into the distance, into the open spaces of the sea, or the groom lying with his head on the bride’s lap.
On a forest path, a road through a field or a park, cute photos are obtained in the form of a couple walking forward. The lens is kept at a distance, the couple moves away, holding hands and smiling at each other, slightly turning their heads.
Fabulous winter time is in harmony with the snow-white outfit of the bride. Snow flakes, frost on the trees will go well with wedding attributes. Unless, of course, the winter turned out to be snowy. Otherwise, it is better to refuse photographing in nature in chilly windy weather. If the winter did not let you down, and the bride has a wedding coat or coat attached to the outfit, then you can arrange a short photo shoot in the winter park. Choose the lush spruce closest to the path and beat the image from different angles. Also, the walk can be supplemented with a game of snowballs, a demonstration of cones or spruce branches in the joined palms of the newlyweds.
The time of the spring awakening of life, drops and the first bird chimes suggests capturing the same picture as in the winter version, but focusing on the melting of icicles, on picturesque streams. In late spring, when the first flowers have already appeared, photos with lilacs, flowering apple trees and cherries will be especially tender.
The vibrant golden reds of autumn make a great backdrop for wedding photos. Against the background of crimson foliage, the bride’s snow-white outfit will stand out like a white cloud. Autumn photographs are successfully obtained by a pond or lake, when the foliage is reflected in the already icy clear water.
It is possible to make a wreath of gold maple leaves for the bride, as long as it does not damage the hairstyle.
Beautiful examples
To take the best photos of your wedding, it is not so necessary to completely copy other people’s ideas. It is enough to catch the general vector and mood, take into account the nature of the partner and bring into the lens all your love for each other.
Photo montage “On the cloud”
The groom’s head lies on the bride’s knees, she gently hugs his face with her hands. Both have the happy look of an already engaged couple.
Dance kiss, bottom view
An unusual angle that gives the impression of a dance step in which the partners kissed furtively.


wedding ring frame
Not so much original as symbolic perspective. Such a photo can be put on the front page of the wedding album.


Photographer’s tips about mistakes at a wedding photo shoot in the video below.