As the fourth post of the set for preparing for sessions, today I am writing about preparing for a bridal shoot from the photographer’s perspective. Especially for me, being a female photographer, I can identify with how exciting a bridal session would be. I have never been married, but have dreamed of it like the next girl. And YES, I will openly admit it on a public forum even if it does make me sound silly! lol…
But it’s true, I…like some… grew up playing dressup as a little girl, and as I got older, I’ve identified my best friends by whether or not they would “stand in my wedding!” And we sit around talking about our weddings during our weekly Monday night’s out; so yes, I can understand why so many brides want this one day focused around them.
A bridal session is very different from an engagement session especially in the fact that the groom is not there to comfort the bride. She is going to be posing on her own and this can sometimes be a very scary thought! So, today’s post is going to be for the photographer, when shooting just the bride.
PREPARATION:
Communication: Really, the entire blog on preparing for a bridal session falls under this category. Communicating everything from who should be at the shoot to what to bring is super important for the success. A bride has a million things on her mind around the time that she’s shooting a bridal session, so communicating the necessities is imperative.
Ask Questions: Get to know the bride! Establishing a relationship with the bride is so important as she is typically the client that you will be communicating with the most throughout the process. The bride is usually the decision maker in the wedding photography planning and having a good repor with her helps make the process smooth…and….honestly, just fun for everyone! π π Getting to know the bride can also help her to feel more relaxed and comfortable which will really come through in the final photos.
Time of Day: As photographers, we dream of the βgolden lightββ¦that last bit of the day when the sun is low. Knowing when to shoot is VITAL, and as we cannot recreate light in photoshop. Lots of brides choose plantations and indoor locations for their bridals (especially in the summer months). If itβs an indoor location, there may be hours of operation to work around. And if itβs outside, depending on the location, there may be hours to abide by as well. Setting the time is very important and encouraging the couples to show on time to get the desired light is imperative as well.
Location: For me, the location is always a lengthy discussion because it does affect the feel of the photos, and itβs the one thing that is primarily decided by the bride. I ask her to think of the look that she’s going for in the shoot. (ie: Is it a downtown? A landscape with oaks and greenery? A plantation?)
SHOOTING:
Know The Bride: I suppose this could have fallen under the preparation category, but this is very important when shooting a bridal session. At least for me, at this point I have typically already photographed the bride for she and her fiance’s engagement session so shooting her bridals is yet another chance for us to work together. Each time, as her photographer, you should be learning about her. Things like: What side she prefers to be photographed on, does she prefer smiling, smirking, or not smiling at all? Are there any stylistic differences, etc. All of these facts, you can use for the bridal session’s success…as well as the wedding day!
Interact with Her : Unlike the engagement session, where they have each other to interact with and to use for emotional support, a bride is being 100% vulnerable during her session. In my experience, they are also putting a lot of pressure on themselves to have the “perfect” shoot. So, it’s necessary to help her to feel at ease…and just let go! π It’s a day to feel fabulous, so a constant reminder of this is a great idea! A bride also typically brings along a few best friends and her mother. It’s also nice to interact with them as you’ll be working with them again on the wedding day.
The Dress: I felt that the dress needed a section of it’s own, as it is such a huge part of why a bride shoots her bridals. She wants the opportunity to photograph her dress in DETAIL so that all of her friends and family members can see. First and foremost, be careful. Bridal gowns can range anywhere from $1000-$15,000 and are very easily damaged. Bridal sessions are a risk in the sense that the dress could possibly need cleaning before the wedding and this should be communicated ahead of time. However, it is the job of the photographer to treat the dress with the utmost of care. Bringing along a visqueen sheet or some way of protecting the dress is a good idea. And being aware of your surroundings is as well. Lastly, know your limits. The brides I work with are, thankfully, very open-minded and laid back..desiring the best of their images, but if there is a request to omit a location or pose, be respectful of that.
In addition, make sure to capturing the dress not only in full length but in detail as well. During the session, I always make sure to shoot go in tight, shooting the elements of the gown I know she’ll want to always remember.
Shooting for the Print/Canvas: In the weeks following a bridal session, the bride may be looking to have one or two large prints/canvases made from her bridal session for the reception. When shooting, it’s important to anticipate this detail. For example, the bride will most likely want options to have not only full length but close-up shots as well. I tend to primarily shoot bridal sessions in the vertical orientation although it is ok to mix it up as well. And lastly, if you are shooting full frame, remember to give just a bit of room should she decide to go with a 16×20 vs the 16×24 print/canvas.
Know Your Equipment: Just like with the engagement session, knowing your equipment is super important. It takes time, practice, and effort. Keeping in touch with your client during a session is of the utmost importance. By knowing your equipment, you can focus on her rather than on your camera. 
Look for Good Light: When the bride chooses their location, the spots chosen within should be based FIRST upon good light. Personally, I look for areas defined by backlighting, or open shade. This is a personal style and aesthetic that I enjoy although some photographers will create their own light with artificial lighting or use the dramatic shadows of the sunlight. No matter your personal aesthetic, itβs nice to know and understand light in order to create the beautiful and artistic images the bride wants.
Find Locations within that Provide βThe Look:β In addition to light, βThe Lookβ can come together with color, lines, and textures. When a bride chooses a location, itβs usually because the location is important to them and they love the way it feels there. As a photographer, capturing the βfeelβ of a place is very much dependant upon the locations chosen within. Find a way to create scenes and scenarios that capture an atmosphere in one frame.
POST-SHOOT:
Image Selections: When going through the photos, I am looking for the top 65-75 images to place into her gallery. Images that are left out are either blurry, involved blinks, or duplicated the best image of a pose or set. Because the bride usually wants the groom to wait to see her in her gown until the wedding day, make sure to password protect the gallery if you’re placing the images online. Also, if they are waiting to see each other…blogging should be postponed until the week following the wedding.
Follow up: Always follow up after the shoot: even a quick email will suffice. 
I typically like to drop a quick line to the bride letting them know that the shoot went well and when to expect the images!
Editing: Editing is like choosing a location or light. It fits the aesthetic of each individual photographer and can be anywhere from a basic color correction and straightening in lightroom to an extensive edit in photoshop. When editing, especially with the full length shots (if shooting full frame,) it may be a good idea to leave a bit of extra room should the bride choose to print a 16×20 image vs the 16×24.
Bridal sessions have challenged me to create some of my alltime favorite images. I think I become inspired by the magic of shooting a woman during such a momentous time in her life! π π It’s super exciting and I STILL get nervous for every shoot; I’m not sure that will ever go away.
I hope this post has been helpful for at least one person…I know it’s been helpful for me (just to take the time to think and write about the process). π Have a wonderful day!!
Live Simply, Love Freely,
Catherine
