Getting Ready Photos

Preparing your room for your wedding photographer is probably the last thing on your mind on your wedding day, but it makes a big different when it comes to getting those beautiful preparation photos. Because of this, I always share these simple tips with my couples before the big day, so that the room is ready to go when I arrive. 

 

If you are having a make-up artist, make sure they set up with lots of room nearest the biggest and nicest window in the room you’re getting ready in.

 

It’s really awkward for me to ask them to move when I arrive if they’ve set up in a corner somewhere in unflattering light. If you want me to photograph your amazing dresses or outfits get them out of their bags. Hang them up somewhere proudly in the room. From a wardrobe, in a window bay, wherever you like, we can always move it but show them off! If you want me to photograph any other details such as shoes or jewellery please have them ready and put to one side.

Clear the room of any clutter, especially if you’re getting ready at home rather than a hotel room.

Anything that you wouldn’t want to be seen in the photographs (plastic bags, giant teddy bears, clothes over the bed etc). I can’t photoshop these things out afterwards sorry!

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In order to get the best pictures possible during preparations the bigger, the lighter the room and the less clutter the better. 

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•Coordinating Outfits

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There's a good reason why so many brides gift their 'maids patterned robes or monogrammed button-downs — they look ultra-polished in photographs. 

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Which place to pick for getting ready?

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• Always go for a place with lots of natural light. No matter where it is, whether it is a hotel room, your living room, bedroom, the more windows and the bigger they are the better. If your photographers want less light for a dramatic look, they can close the curtains. It doesn’t work the opposite way.

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How to prepare the place?

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• Most important (yet only a few couples remember and do this): put and hide things away. Your bags, T-shirts, towels, bottles don’t need to be in the photos. Make sure to hide them (in the closet, under the bed, or anywhere out of sight) before the photographers arrive. Keep it neat at ALL TIME. I know it is easy to say and hard to do (I was there). But if you can do it, you will make a big difference for your photos.

• Gather all details in one place prior to the photographers’ arrival, ideally on the bed. They can be your wedding dress, shoes, veil, rings, bouquet, garter, gifts, etc., anything relates to the wedding.

• Ask the makeup artists to station you near a big window from the beginning. Natural light is great for photos. Your photographers will want you to be near a big window anyway. It is really inconvenient to ask the makeup artists to move after they set everything up. In addition, sunlight is better than any other light to get an accurate makeup color.

• Turn on all light sources that you have besides opening all window curtains. Whatever can bring light to the room, do it. It is easier for your photographers to turn them off than to find and turn them on.

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• If you decide to book a hotel room, there are three things you need to do:

  • First: view online photos of that particular hotel, save the photos of the room you want, show the receptionist and ask for that room. Not all rooms with the same type look the same.

  • Second: specifically ask for a room with main windows facing East (where you get more light in the morning).

  • Third: avoid rooms on the ground floor or have windows blocked by anything (building, trees, walls, etc.). Blocked windows aren’t helpful

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