The Best of Wedding Photography.pdf - Free

THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Generally speaking, this should be a romantic pose, with
the couple looking at one another. While a formal pose or
two is advisable, most couples will opt for the more romantic
and emotional formal portraits. Be sure to highlight
the dress, as it is a crucial element to formal portraits.
Take pains to show the form as well as the details of the
dress and train, if the dress has one. This is certainly true
for the bride’s formal portrait, as well.
Make at least two formal portraits, a full-length shot
and a three-quarter-length portrait. Details are important,
so pose the couple. Make sure the bouquet is visible and
have the bride closest to the camera. Have the groom place
his arm around his bride but with his hand in the middle
of her back. Have them lean in toward each other, with
their weight on their back feet and a slight bend to their
forward knees. Quick and easy!
THE BRIDE
To display the dress beautifully, the bride must stand well.
Although you may only be taking a three-quarter-length
or head-and-shoulders portrait, start the pose at the feet.
When you arrange the bride’s feet with one foot forward
of the other, the shoulders will naturally be at their most
flattering, one higher than the other. Have her stand at an
angle to the lens, with her weight on her back foot and
her front knee slightly bent. The most feminine position
for her head is to have it turned and tilted toward the
higher shoulder. This places the entire body in an attractive
S-curve, a classic bridal pose.
Have the bride hold her bouquet in the hand on the
same side of her body as the foot that is extended. If the
bouquet is held in the left hand, the right arm should
come in to meet the other at wrist level. She should hold
her bouquet a bit below waist level to show off the waistline
of the dress, which is an important part of the dress
design. Take photos showing the dress from all angles.
THE WEDDING PARTY
This is one formal group that does not have to be formal.
I have seen group portraits of the wedding party done as
a panoramic, with the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and
groomsmen doing a conga line down the beach, dresses
held high out of the water and the men’s pant legs rolled
up. And I have seen elegant, formal pyramid arrangements,
where every bouquet and every pose is identical
Titled The Pall Bearers, this image by J.B. Sallee is a tongue-in-cheek portrait of what the groom and his groomsmen might term “his last day of
freedom.” In postproduction, the groomsmen were darkened to make the groom stand out.
THE KEY SHOTS 93