Wedding photography
Planning editorial bridal portraits around your wedding wardrobe
How to brief your photographer and allow time for the clothes you’ve chosen.
If you’ve spent months choosing a dress or having a suit made, you’ll probably want photographs that show why you chose it. The cut, fabric and fit deserve attention, along with the way you look wearing it.
That doesn’t require a separate fashion shoot. A useful brief, a suitable setting and a little time in the schedule give your photographer much more to work with on the wedding day.
01
Tell us what you love about the outfit
Point out the details that matter: the neckline, the back of the dress, the tailoring, an unusual fabric or jewellery with a family connection. Fitting photographs can help if you’re comfortable sharing them.
For visual references, explain what appeals to you. It might be the lighting or a full-length composition rather than the pose. That helps us apply the idea to your setting without trying to reproduce someone else’s photograph.
02
Consider the getting-ready room
Look for good window light and enough space to photograph the full outfit. A doorway, a plain wall or a room with distinctive architecture can also work well, depending on the clothes.
Before you’re dressed, clear the area you’ll use of bags, garment packaging and spare equipment. Ask someone to help with this so you’re not tidying the room when you should be getting ready to leave.
03
Allow time after you’re dressed
Buttons, jewellery, shoes and veils often take longer than expected. Ask your dressmaker about the fastenings and show the person helping you how they work.
If bridal portraits are important to you, make sure there is time between getting dressed and leaving for the ceremony. Otherwise, a delay earlier in the morning can remove that opportunity entirely.
04
Photograph the outfit in more than one way
A full-length portrait shows the silhouette. A seated photograph or a slight turn can reveal how the fabric falls, and closer photographs can show details that disappear at a distance.
We’ll direct the position, light and composition while paying attention to your expression. The clothes should look good, but you should also recognise yourself in the photograph. Share any preferences that would help us get that balance right.
05
Include outfit changes in the run sheet
Tell your photographer what you’ll change into and when. A reception dress or evening suit may call for a few portraits before you return to dinner or the dance floor.
Allow time to change, including help with fastenings or hair if needed. Check that the change falls within your photography coverage and doesn’t clash with service or speeches. It’s easier to plan those photographs than fit them into an unexpected gap.
06
Look at the wardrobe across the whole gallery
Some photographs will show the clothes deliberately; others will show them being worn during the day. Both are useful. A well-composed portrait and a photograph of you laughing at dinner tell you different things about the same outfit.
We work with digital and 35mm film. If the clothing is a particular priority, tell us while we’re discussing coverage so we can plan the time and show you relevant examples of our work.
A useful brief can be quite short
Send the details you want remembered, a few references and the timing of any changes. That gives your photographer a clear starting point and room to make photographs suited to you.
Common questions
What should we send before the wedding?
Send the outfit details you care about, fitting photographs if you wish, and a few references with an explanation of what you like. Include any planned changes and their timing.
Do we need more than one outfit?
No. Different settings, compositions and light can give one outfit plenty of variety. Only plan a change if it’s something you want for the day itself.