The Portrait Experience
The Portrait Experience: planning your wedding guest studio
Where the studio goes, when it runs and how we work with your wedding team.
The Portrait Experience is a staffed portrait studio at your wedding. We bring the backdrop and lighting, direct each sitting and print individual guest portraits onsite. Guests can also be photographed with their partner, family or friends, with those photographs included in the online gallery.
For it to work well, the studio needs a suitable place and enough time in the schedule. This guide covers the details to work through with us, your venue and your planner.
01
Decide who you’d like photographed
We photograph individuals as well as couples, families and groups of friends. Individual portraits are selected for onsite printing; the digital gallery includes the other combinations too.
Tell us if there are particular relatives or groups you want included. If someone needs to leave early or would benefit from assistance, let us know so we can discuss the arrangements with you.
02
Choose the time and location together
Cocktail hour often works well because guests are already gathering for drinks. The studio should be easy to find and close enough for people to return to their conversations afterwards.
We’ll consider your guest count, the time available and the venue layout when recommending coverage. Allow around 3 × 3 metres for the studio as a starting point, with printing and display space discussed separately. We’ll confirm access, power and the final setup with the venue.
03
Make the invitation clear
Tell guests before the wedding that you’ve arranged portraits for them and would love everyone to take part. This helps people who might otherwise walk past or assume the studio is for someone else.
Your celebrant can repeat the invitation after the ceremony: “Our lovely couple would love a portrait of every guest. Please visit the photographer during cocktail hour; your individual print will be a gift to take home.” We’ll confirm where the studio is and when it’s running on the day.
04
Plan the print display with the reception team
The individual portraits are printed onsite as 6 × 8 inch fine art prints with a white border. We display them during the reception at a time agreed with you and the team.
Include the display in the room plan, with enough space for guests to gather and find their photographs. Ask the MC to remind everyone to collect their print before leaving. The online gallery is delivered after the wedding.
05
Clarify each photographer’s role
The studio needs dedicated coverage while the rest of the wedding is being photographed. We’ll work through the team and timings with you so those responsibilities are clear.
You can book the Portrait Experience with Two Folk wedding photography or with another photographer already in place. Share their details and the run sheet, and we’ll coordinate with them and your planner.
What to send us when you enquire
Your date, venue, approximate guest count and draft schedule are the most useful starting points. Let us know whether you’ve booked a wedding photographer and if there are particular guest portraits you want included.