12/02/2025
Almost every bride worries about looking stiff or overly posed in their bridal portraits, but the truth is that the most beautiful images come from genuine, natural moments. After years of shooting and filming weddings, here’s our best advice to get stunning bridal portraits that help you feel like YOU.
Comfort first. If your dress or accessories feel restrictive, it will be almost impossible to relax. It’s tempting to want squeeze into a gown that looks amazing on the platform (but makes moving and breathing an Olympic sport) or be overly conscious of every aspect of your dress, hair or bouquet, when really, the more you focus on these things the less you’re in the moment. Trust your team to make you look the best and enjoy the day, it goes by fast!
Keep your expression soft. If you feel awkward in front of the camera, instead of holding a tight smile, think about something that makes you happy or calm. Fuzzy slippers, a pile of kittens, all the laundry AND dishes done AND put away. Or your fiancé, maybe. It brings life into your eyes and helps your face settle into a real, relaxed expression.
Incorporate small movements. We’ll help you with this, but don’t be afraid of movement if stillness feels awkward. Walking slowly, adjusting your veil, or lightly brushing your dress gives the camera something candid and natural to work with. Subtle movement creates (at least the illusion of) ease.
Let us guide you, but respond in your own way! We’ll master the light and angles, but laughing, shaking it out, making silly faces or whispering inside jokes to your friends or family are what make the portrait feel authentic. Don’t be afraid to introduce a little of what makes you unique into this part of your wedding day, too!
If you forget everything else, remember to BREATHE. It sounds cliche, but taking a slow, deep breath lowers your shoulders, relaxes your jaw, and instantly makes you look (and feel) more at ease.
If all else fails, bring some custom cocktails with you to photos. Your wedding day is about YOU, after all, have fun!