How to Get Unforgettable Wedding Photos

Your wedding is a day you'll never forget, and your wedding photos will enable you to recapture those special moments and treasure them for years to come. Whether you hire the services of a professional wedding photographer, rely on a family friend, or do both, it's important to familiarize yourself with popular wedding photography shots and styles.

Popular Types of Wedding Photos

When it comes to wedding photos, most brides and grooms tend to think only of traditional wedding pictures. In other words, staged pictures of the bride and groom, wedding party, and guests where the photographer says "smile". Of course, you'll certainly want to have this type of picture, but nowadays you've got other styles to choose from.

Two increasingly popular wedding photography styles are reportage and contemporary styles. Reportage wedding photos include candid shots where the subjects don't realize they're being photographed or, if they're aware the photographer's nearby, they're not looking into the camera - they're busy enjoying themselves. These types of wedding photos are increasing in popularity because they tell the story better than staged, traditional photos and get the emotions across.

Contemporary wedding photography is where the photographer directs you, combining both staged and candid shots, using different camera angles to create a dynamic and creative style.

Unique Shots for Wedding Photos

It's really important to have your wedding photographer start before the ceremony, because some of your best wedding photos will be of you getting ready, and of all the other numerous preparations which take place just before the wedding.

You'll be surrounded by friends and family and beaming with excitement, or perhaps nervous and stressed. Whatever, these shots really set the scene. Simple shots, like you peeking in the mirror to see your reflection.

Close-ups of the bridal dress also make for wonderful photographs, whether worn or just lying draped over a chair. Are you are a bride with a full-skirted dress? Then sit on the floor and spread your skirt all around you - this is a beautiful shot. Other good wedding photos for the bride include you opening your bridal bag, you cuddling your dress, and your mother standing behind you fastening your dress.

Don't just focus on people, but on objects too. Have your wedding photographer snap pictures of your rings on a bible page, your hands clasping each other with the rings showing, close-up pictures of your bouquet, the cake, and so forth. With these wedding photos, it's best to take the creative contemporary approach, as the different camera angles will transform these simple objects.

With outdoor weddings, remember to focus on more than just the bride, groom, bridal party, and guests. Of course, you don't want to forget these important shots, but remember also the location. After all, you chose the place for a reason, so document its beauty.

Use the landscape for stunning staged shots. Wedding photos when taken by an old oak tree, a small pond, or standing on a boat launch are beautiful, especially when broader views are used to incorporate the landscape better.

As you can see, you've many choices for your special day. But wedding photos are not something to think about on the great day itself. So, work out now which wedding photography styles you'd like, and create a list of possible wedding photo shots. Then, discuss them with your wedding photographer.