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How to Get The Best Out of Your “Getting Ready” Photos.

Tip number one: gather a bag of special items together

When I say special items, I really mean some of the key details that represent your wedding day. This can be anything from the perfume you're wearing, to your flowers, jewellery and even some of your wedding stationery. I love capturing photos of these details, so you have a library of all the small details that make up your big day.  Having all of this ready in a bag for me to use, means I don't need to disturb you while you're actually getting ready, because after all that’s the main aim of this part of your wedding day. 


Tip number two: try and keep things tidy for the best getting ready photos

I know this will be easier said than done, but if at all possible try and keep your getting ready space as tidy as possible. It just means we'll be able to capture cleaner, more aesthetic photos, free from any clutter that we don’t want in the background.


Tip number three: consider the space you’re getting ready in

Some bridal suites are enormous and taking all manner of photos is no problem but other getting ready spaces might not be so spacious. I'm talking about spaces like childhood bedrooms, glamping pods, cottages and even campervans. That doesn’t mean we can’t still take some amazing getting ready photos, but it does mean we need to work with the space, which is where my expertise comes in.


Tip number four: have the right people in the room.

Have a think about who you really want there during your getting ready photos, because it might be more than just your bridesmaids! This doesn't have to be limited to people either, if you have close family pets, (I think it goes without saying that at this stage that I love dogs), then make sure they're included too if you want them in your photos.


Tip number five: choose one person to help you into your dress

Not only make sure you know who is helping you get into your dress but make sure they know it too so they don’t wander off! And ideally delegate this task to just one special person. This will help ensure we get some beautiful photos of this magical moment as part of your wedding story.


Tip number six: choose one person to hand you your bouquet

Admittedly this is very similar to tip number five, but think about who's handing you your bouquet as you’re ready to walk out the door. Again simply having this decided ahead of the big day means we can smoothly transition into taking these photos without any delays, and make sure you are on time - or at least only fashionably late - for your wedding ceremony. Bonus tip, make sure you take your wedding flowers out of water at least 30 minutes before they're needed so they can dry!


Tip number seven: let me know if you’re planning a first look

Please make sure you let me know if you're wanting to capture a first look with either your partner, parents, friends or other family members. I love capturing first looks and they really do make some of the best candid photos, but I do need to know ahead of time if this is something we need to make time for, just so we can get the best out of this amazing moment.


Now moving away from The Bridal party to the people in suits.


Tip number one for you: please leave accessories to the last minute 

By accessories I mean things like your cufflinks, buttonholes, pocket squares and jackets. This has two benefits, it means we have photos of you getting ready, almost ready, and then fully ready, rather than all of the photos having you wafting around fully dressed from the beginning. It allows me to capture the progression of your wedding prep. It also has the very practical added benefit, that it means you can't scuff your cufflinks, squash your button hole or spill down your jacket before the ceremony starts!


Tip number two: pick the person pinning your button hole

Again this tip is similar to tips number four and five for The Bridal party, but having someone lined up to help you do your buttonholes helps keep things moving smoothly, and again this can be a really nice moment during the getting ready process to capture in your photos.


Tip number three: practice moments like tying your ties!  

Granted, a few people do still wear a tie to work every day and if that’s the case, then no problem, but very few of us tend to wear bow ties or cravats to work, so please make sure you've practiced tying these before we come to capture the photos. Otherwise we can find ourselves taking up quite a bit of time before we get the best shot and everyone is actually ready to go! Bonus tip, please also make sure you have decided how your ties are to be tied, and that way everyone looks the same before heading out for the ceremony.


And one more thing…

Sadly, I can only be in one place, at one time, so there are two things to consider here. If you would like the getting ready process captured for both wedding parties, then please make sure the getting ready locations are not too far apart, and then I can easily travel between the two taking photos at the appropriate moments. 


Alternatively, you may want to consider booking a second photographer if you're getting ready at two very different locations. And if that's something you're interested in then let me know, I have some fantastic photographers I've worked with that I can bring along with me!



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