Photography
in a Flash
Get Formal Photos Fast!
Don’t want to miss the party while
you’re having those formal portraits
snapped? You don’t have to miss much
when you’re working with a professional
(and organized!) photographer. Find out
how you can get all the shots you need
for a killer album and be back mingling
with your guests in a flash.
DARE TO DEFY TRADITION
If you are willing to be a bit less traditional and see each other prior to the
ceremony, you can have your formals
done ahead of time. Some couples opt
for this in an effort to maximize time
with family and friends but it’s not the
answer for everyone. Many brides still
want that element of surprise as they
make their way down the aisle to their
bedazzled groom.
GET AHEAD
Another option is to do some of the formals ahead of time, with the bride and
groom separately, so as to preserve the traditional nature of the ceremony. You may
want to have your groom and ushers meet
beforehand followed by the bride and her
maids. That way, the only portraits that
Scheduling separate photo sessions before
the ceremony to capture any formals where
the bride and groom don't need to be
together saves tons of time without letting
him see you in the dress before the wedding.
CACHET PHOTOGRAPHY
need to be taken after the ceremony are
those that include the couple themselves
and the entire wedding party. Again, this
will cut down on the time you’ll need to
take away from the festivities.
THE A-LIST
In today’s world, a who’s who list that
the photographer will use as a blueprint is a must. This worksheet should
include everyone that needs to be photographed during the formal session
and the nature of the relationships. A
photographer needs to be highly
skilled at managing some of the often
sticky relationships – divorce, death,
significant others – that may play a role
in the taking (and ordering) of formal
photos. Share as much history as you
can with your photographer so that
he/she is aware of and can manage
family members and friends in a way
that keeps everyone happy. This will
help the bride and groom remain
stress-free, and also make the formal
portrait session move along quickly.
PLAN B
While outdoor photographs are almost
always more desirable, be sure to have
an indoor backup plan – we live in New
England after all. Be sure that if you
aren’t using your function facility as an
alternative, you scope out a locale, like
an art museum or hotel lobby, with a
backdrop that will provide some depth
and interest to your pictures. It’s a good
idea to ask your photographer for some
ideas - most will have great suggestions
based on years of experience!
