This ONE thing will make your Wedding Photos 10X Better

I’m about to give you a tip I wish I could give every bride before the wedding!!

THINK ABOUT LIGHTING WHEN YOU VISIT YOUR VENUE

….Wait, think about lighting?? Shouldn't that be your Photographer's job?

Well, yes. We can often use light to our advantage to flatter you and make your photos look AMAZING! When we can reposition you and make the best of the light this is a great skillset to have! But once you're dressed in white standing next to the person of your dreams ready to say ‘I do’ --- we can't very well run up and move the branch shadow that's falling right across your face. So one thing to keep in mind when you're wedding planning is what the CEREMONY area will look like AT THE TIME OF YOUR VOWS. I'm going to repeat that one more time. Consider what your Ceremony Area will look like AT THE TIME OF YOUR VOWS.

If you schedule to see the Venue in March at 8am, but your Vow Exchange/Ceremony is happening in June at 6pm, I promise you things will look a lot different.

Things to consider that will help your photos, and you, look stunning are:

-Sun position at time of Ceremony (and even time of year... daylight savings time can trick the best of us into thinking we planned perfectly, only to have sunset come an hour ahead of schedule)

-It's generally best for the sun to be BEHIND YOU so that it's not shining right in your face or blinding your bridesmaids/groomsmen to be squinting in every photo

-Try to avoid overhanging trees that could cast harsh shadows on your face. If you decide to have you ceremony under branches, consider having a white sheet as a shade over you to soften the shadows and even the light on your faces

-Avoid colored lights. Purple lights may feel festive to dance to, but your bridesmaids probably won't be so happy with purple skin tones in the wedding gallery. It's best to stick with natural colored lights as much as possible

And one last Pro Tip – if you can, ask the Venue to provide any extra spotlights/overhead lighting for the Reception, this will greatly improve your photos and limit risk of any dark candid scenes where a flash can't reach.

Now you can be at ease on your Wedding Day knowing that your lighting is set up perfectly to flatter you and highlight the magic of the moment!